The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the death of a part-two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo.
The institution revealed that Ibitayo reportedly took his own life after failing his examinations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said Ibitayo, who was studying in the Faculty of Dentistry, had been repeating Part Two and was required to do so again after the latest results were released on Wednesday.
“The entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” Olarewaju said.
“The student Ajibola Ibitayo, has a matriculation number DEN/2021/023. The results of his last semester examinations indicated he would need to repeat Part Two for another academic year,” he stated.
According to the statement, the deceased had already repeated the same academic level during the previous session and reportedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.
“The student, whose father is a medical doctor, took the step after learning of the examination outcome,” the statement read.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Simeon Bamire, has expressed deep sadness over the incident and called on parents and guardians to help children understand that setbacks are not the end of life.
Bamire said, “Temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and should not be seen as the end. Students must be encouraged to see failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success and greater achievements.”
While praying for comfort for the student’s family, friends, and the entire university community, the OAU VC stated that the loss was a heavy one for the institution.
The management urged students facing academic challenges to seek support and counselling services available within the university to help them cope with difficulties.
The President of the Dentistry Students’ Association, Adebayo Idris, also confirmed the development in a statement.
He described Ajibola’s death as a painful loss and a reminder of the silent struggles faced by many students.
“This loss is not just the departure of a promising young mind, but a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face,” the statement read.
The association urged students to support one another and seek professional help when necessary, stressing that mental health is as important as physical health.
Meanwhile a source familiar with the matter told DAILY POST that the deceased’s results were actually good, contrary to what he was told.
The source disclosed that a friend had called Ajibola, claiming his results were not good.
This, according to the source, might have contributed to his decision to take his life.
“It is shocking because his results were good. His friend just told him otherwise,” the source said.
