OAU Mourns Final-Year Student as Police Investigate Death in Ile-Ife
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has expressed sadness over the death of a final-year student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
The university said it received information about an emergency involving the student at an apartment in the Damico Area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife, at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
According to the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the institution’s Quick Response and Security (QRS) Team immediately went to the location after receiving the report. The Nigeria Police were also contacted, with officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, joining the university security team at the scene.
The student was taken to the University Health Centre, where a medical doctor certified him dead. OAU said it subsequently handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene to the police to assist with the investigation.
The university said the police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death. It also notified the appropriate student affairs authorities to provide necessary follow-up and support for students affected by the incident.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire expressed condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues. He also acknowledged the potential emotional impact of the incident on members of the university community.
OAU urged students and staff to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information or speculation while the police investigation continues. The university said any further information considered necessary would be communicated through official channels.
The management also encouraged students facing serious personal, financial or emotional difficulties to seek support from trusted individuals and appropriate university support structures, stressing that students should not feel they have to face overwhelming challenges alone.