OAU Dental Student Commits Suicide After Release of Exam Results

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has been thrown into mourning following the death of a dental student who reportedly took his own life shortly after the release of examination results. The Obafemi Awolowo University Dental Students’ Association (IFUDSA) confirmed the tragic incident in a statement signed by its president, Adebayo Idris, describing the loss as a devastating blow to the faculty and the student community.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our colleagues in the Faculty of Dentistry. We have received the painful news that he took his own life shortly after the release of examination results,” the statement read. Idris described the deceased as a promising young mind and noted that his death serves as a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face.

The association urged students to look out for one another, offer emotional support, and seek professional help whenever needed. “We encourage all members of our faculty to reach out to one another, offer support, and seek professional help when needed. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and no one should ever feel alone in their struggles,” the statement said.

IFUDSA also reaffirmed its commitment to improving student welfare and mental health advocacy within the faculty, stressing the need to prevent such tragedies in the future.

This is not the first time OAU has recorded such a loss. In 2021, a 200-level Accounting student, Emmanuel, died after ingesting pesticide, having told friends beforehand that he intended to take his life. In August 2019, the university community was also shocked by the death of Opeyemi Grace Dara, a student from the Department of English and Literature, who reportedly took her own life by ingesting pesticide. While initial reports linked her death to academic results, the school later clarified that her academic record was not poor enough to warrant suicide.