The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the tragic death of a Part Two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo.
According to the institution, Ibitayo, a student in the Faculty of Dentistry, reportedly took his own life after learning he would have to repeat his academic level.
In a statement released on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, explained that Ibitayo had already repeated Part Two once and, following the release of the latest examination results on Wednesday, was required to repeat the level again.
“The entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” Olarewaju said.
He added: “The student Ajibola Ibitayo, has a matriculation number DEN/2021/023. The results of his last semester examinations indicated he would need to repeat Part Two for another academic year.”
According to the statement, Ibitayo “reportedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.”
“The student, whose father is a medical doctor, took the step after learning of the examination outcome,” the statement read.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and used the occasion to appeal to parents, guardians, and students.
“Temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and should not be seen as the end. Students must be encouraged to see failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success and greater achievements,” Bamire said.
He also offered prayers for the family, friends, and entire university community, describing the loss as “a heavy one for the institution.”
The university management further urged students struggling academically to take advantage of available support and counselling services on campus.
The President of the Dentistry Students’ Association, Adebayo Idris, also issued a statement confirming the incident and mourning the loss of Ibitayo.
“This loss is not just the departure of a promising young mind, but a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face,” the statement read.
The association encouraged students to support one another and seek professional help, stressing that “mental health is as important as physical health.”
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter revealed that Ibitayo’s results were actually good, contradicting what he had been led to believe.
According to the source, a friend had misinformed Ibitayo, telling him that his results were poor, a statement that may have influenced his tragic decision.
“It is shocking because his results were good. His friend just told him otherwise,” the source said.
