UNIOSUN student dies; colleagues allege negligence, varsity denies claim

Students at Osun State University's Ifetedo Campus are protesting the death of final-year Criminology and Security Studies student Grace Osunlakin, alleging negligence by the institution's health center. They claim Osunlakin visited the health center after falling ill but was allegedly advised to return to her hostel without receiving treatment. Her condition reportedly worsened, and by the time they sought medical help in the evening, the health center was closed, leading students to believe the delay in care contributed to her death.

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The clinic allegedly asked her to go back and rest. Later, when her condition deteriorated, we returned but found the health centre closed. We eventually took her to another hospital, but it was too late.

One student recounted that Osunlakin, who was asthmatic, sought treatment earlier in the day but was told to rest. When her condition deteriorated later, the health center was closed. Students eventually took her to another hospital, but it was too late. The students highlighted this incident as part of broader concerns about healthcare access on campus and called for improvements.

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Osunlakin had a documented history of asthma since her admission into the university and was last treated at the university health centre on March 26, 2026.

However, the university has strongly refuted the claims of negligence, calling them misleading. In a statement, university spokesperson Adesoji Ademola said Osunlakin had a known history of asthma since her admission and was last treated at the university health center on March 26, 2026. According to her friend and housemate, Miss Durosinmi Mariam, Osunlakin returned from a fellowship and complained of stomach pain before experiencing distress in the toilet. Arrangements were made to take her to a medical facility around 11:30 p.m.

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movement was affected by an unannounced Oro ritual in Ifetedo, making transportation difficult, but students eventually transported her on a motorcycle to the Community Health Centre in Ikija, Ifetedo.

The university stated that movement was hindered by an unannounced Oro ritual in Ifetedo, complicating transportation. Students eventually took her on a motorcycle to the Community Health Centre in Ikija, Ifetedo. The university maintained that Osunlakin was not at the campus health center that night. She reportedly lost consciousness upon arrival at the community center, where she was confirmed dead. Her remains were later taken to Goshen Specialist Hospital in Ondo and then deposited at Divine Haven Funeral Home.

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Osunlakin was not taken to the university health centre at any time on the night of the incident.