Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has constituted a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 400-level Criminology and Security Studies student, Osunlakin Grace, while announcing major reforms to healthcare services across its campuses.
The student’s death sparked protests last week, with some students alleging that inadequate healthcare facilities at the university’s Ifetedo Campus contributed to the incident. The university, however, maintained that preliminary findings showed the deceased was not taken to the institution’s medical centre on the night of the incident.
According to the university, Osunlakin complained of stomach pain after returning to her off-campus residence and was later taken to the Community Health Centre in Ikija, Ifetedo, where she was confirmed dead. The institution also said transportation was affected by an unannounced Oro ritual in the community.
The resolutions were reached during a meeting between the university management, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Odunayo Adeboye, and the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone.
Speaking at the meeting, Adeboye expressed sadness over the student’s death and announced plans to establish an additional health centre at the Ifetedo Campus, while upgrading healthcare facilities across all campuses.
He said all university medical centres would begin operating on a 24-hour basis and would be equipped with solar-powered electricity, functional ambulances, qualified doctors and professional nurses to improve healthcare delivery.
The Vice-Chancellor also urged students and parents to disclose existing medical conditions to enable timely intervention during emergencies.
As part of efforts to strengthen accountability, Adeboye announced the constitution of a committee comprising Students’ Union representatives and university officials to investigate the incident, review healthcare services and recommend immediate and long-term improvements.
“The committee has been mandated to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of Osunlakin Grace, assess healthcare services across the university and make practical recommendations for improvement,” he said.
The committee is expected to submit its report within one week.
Adeboye also announced the immediate reopening of the Welfare Director’s portal and said academic activities would resume within two weeks to allow for fumigation of hostels and environmental sanitation across the university.
NANS Southwest Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, commended the university management for engaging with students and pledged to monitor the implementation of the resolutions aimed at improving student welfare.
