The death of 400-level student Grace Osunlakin at the University of Osun has triggered protests and UNIOSUN student death controversy over alleged inadequate healthcare facilities at the Ifetedo campus
The University of Osun has faced significant student outrage following the death of Grace Osunlakin, a 400-level student of criminology and security studies, at its Ifetedo campus on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Grace Osunlakin, who had just completed her project defence, suffered a medical emergency and passed away despite efforts to seek treatment, prompting fellow students to stage protests over claims of poor healthcare facilities at the institution.
Students accused university management of collecting fees while failing to provide functional medical services, with one protester stating,
“You claimed you built a hostel and clinic for us, but none of them is functioning. There are no nurses or doctors. We paid school fees and everything, but you’re just extorting us.”
Oguntola Helen, welfare director of the university’s students’ union, alleged in a viral video that Osunlakin required oxygen but could not access it at the campus health facility.
“We lost Grace just because there was no oxygen to stabilise her,” Helen said.
Akinteye Azeez, president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, condemned what he described as negligence and called for the temporary shutdown of the Ifetedo campus until adequate facilities were in place.
“It is deeply painful that we lost one of our own to the cold hands of death due to the incompetence and negligence of those who ought to have provided the immediate medical attention necessary to keep her alive,” Azeez stated.
The university, however, disputed claims that Osunlakin was denied treatment at its medical centre.
Spokesperson Ademola Adesoji clarified that the student was never taken to the university health facility on the day of the incident.
She had returned to her off-campus residence after interacting with her supervisor and colleagues, where she later complained of stomach pain.
According to Adesoji, transportation to a nearby community health centre was complicated by local restrictions, and Osunlakin was confirmed dead on arrival at a specialist hospital in Ondo.
The institution noted that she had a documented history of asthma since her first year.
This UNIOSUN student death has highlighted broader concerns about healthcare provision in Nigerian tertiary institutions, where students often pay fees that include medical components yet face inadequate facilities during emergencies.
The university has pledged to investigate the matter fully while expressing condolences to the family.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost when institutional support systems fall short, particularly for young people far from home pursuing their education.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
