Student’s death: UNIOSUN sets record straight

By Isa Isawade

The Management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has expressed concern over what it described as misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the unfortunate death of Miss Grace Osunlakin, a final-year student of the institution.

In a preliminary report released by the University, the Institution presented the sequence of events surrounding the incident in order to clarify the circumstances of her passing.

According to the report, the late Grace Osunlakin was a final-year student in the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Faculty of Liberal Studies, College of Law, Ifetedo Campus. She successfully participated in her final-year project defence on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at about 1:15 p.m. 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.

Mariam was said to have found Grace in distress and assisted her back to her room, where she was laid on the mattress while her condition was observed. 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.

Seeking further medical confirmation, Dr. Oyeyipo and Dr. Gbadeyan thereafter transported Grace to Goshen Specialist Hospital in Ondo, accompanied by other students, including the College President, Moshood Ali Olaide. 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.

Following the confirmation, the doctor advised that her remains be deposited in a mortuary. Consequently, the team proceeded to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, popularly known as the General Hospital, where her body was deposited at the Divine Haven Funeral Home at about 1:21 a.m.

The University noted that throughout the process, the Head of Department and the Dean of the Faculty maintained constant communication with those involved.

Management reiterated that the deceased was an asthmatic patient and emphasized that at no point on the day of her demise was she taken to the University Medical Centre.

The University expressed its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Grace Osunlakin and assured stakeholders that further necessary reviews into the circumstances surrounding the incident would continue.