Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Friday described the death of Grace Osunlakin, a 400-Level Criminology and Security Studies student of Osun State University, Ifetedo Campus, as “painful and deeply heartbreaking.”
The management of the university also expressed concern over misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the death of Osunlakin.
Adeleke, in a condolence message signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, extended condolences to the bereaved family, the Governing Council, management, staff and students of Osun State University.
He urged students and members of the public to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the relevant authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The governor also urged all stakeholders to avoid actions or statements capable of escalating tension, assuring that the state government would continue to place the safety and welfare of students as a top priority.
He subsequently directed the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the university management, to “immediately engage in a comprehensive review of healthcare service delivery across all university campuses with a view to strengthening emergency response mechanisms, improving medical facilities and ensuring that students have timely access to quality healthcare whenever the need arises.”
Meanwhile, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, said the institution’s preliminary findings showed that the deceased was not treated at the university’s medical facility, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
According to Adesoji, Osunlakin successfully participated in her final-year project defence on Tuesday before a panel chaired by the Head of Department, Dr Ademolu Adenuga.
“Following the defence, she reportedly interacted with her project supervisor and fellow students before returning to her off-campus residence, a privately rented apartment. The university noted that she showed no visible signs of illness while on campus that day.
“The institution further stated that Grace had, since her 100-level, been identified as an asthmatic patient, a condition documented in her medical records at the University Health Centre, Ifetedo Campus. Records also indicate that she was last treated at the University Health Services on March 26, 2026.
“Testimonies obtained from her friend, housemate, and coursemate, Miss Durosinmi Mariam, revealed that Grace returned from a Christian fellowship later that evening and complained of stomach pain. She subsequently went to the toilet, where she reportedly screamed, drawing the attention of her housemate,” he said.
Adesoji said Mariam assisted Osunlakin back to her room before efforts were made to take her to a medical facility when her condition worsened.
He added that movement was affected by an unannounced Oro ritual in Ifetedo, making transportation difficult.
“When her condition appeared to worsen, it was decided that she should be taken to a medical facility at about 11:30 p.m. The report explained that movement at that time was reportedly affected by the unannounced Oro ritual in the Ifetedo community, which placed restrictions on movement at night, thereby making transportation more difficult. Despite this, efforts were made to transport her on a motorcycle to the nearby Community Health Centre at Ikija, Ifetedo.
“The university stressed that Grace was not taken to the University Health Centre at any point on the night of the incident. Upon arrival at the Community Health Centre, Grace was reported to have lost consciousness and was immediately laid on a stretcher. Her friend and other students subsequently informed the Head of Department, who was at the time outside the community in Ondo State.
“Her project supervisor, Dr Oyeyipo Eyitayo, and the Acting Head of Peace and Conflict Studies, Dr Olawale Gbadeyan, were contacted at about 11:46 p.m. Both lecturers immediately proceeded to the Community Health Centre, where the matron on duty confirmed her passing in the presence of her friends,” Adesoji said.
Seeking further medical confirmation, the management said the lecturers subsequently took Osunlakin to a Specialist Hospital in Ondo.
“On arrival at about 12:10 a.m., the medical doctor on duty reportedly carried out preliminary checks and confirmed that she was dead on arrival,” the university spokesperson said.
The university maintained that throughout the process, the Head of Department and the Dean of the Faculty maintained constant communication with those involved, reiterating that at no point on the day of her death was she taken to the University Medical Centre.
PUNCH Online reports that Osunlakin’s death triggered protests in Ifetedo on Thursday, with students accusing the university of negligence in handling the health emergency.
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