Olusegun Adeyemo
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo, from the Faculty of Dentistry.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Ibitayo reportedly took his own life at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after receiving his examination results on Wednesday. The results indicated that he would have to repeat Part Two for another academic year — a level he had already repeated in the previous session.
Olarewaju disclosed that the student, whose matriculation number is DEN/2021/023, allegedly injected himself. His father is said to be a medical doctor.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Simeon Bamire expressed deep sadness over the incident, urging parents and guardians to help young people understand that setbacks are a part of life.
“Temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success should not be seen as the end. Students must learn to see failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success,” Bamire said, while praying for comfort for the bereaved family, friends, and the entire university community.
The university management encouraged students facing academic challenges to take advantage of available counselling and support services.
The President of the Dentistry Students’ Association, Adebayo Idris, described Ibitayo’s death as “a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face,” urging students to support one another and prioritise mental health as much as physical health.