OAU Medical Student takes own life after failing exams

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the death of Ajibola Ibitayo, a Part Two medical student of the Faculty of Dentistry, who reportedly committed suicide after failing his examinations.

In a statement on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said Ibitayo, with matriculation number DEN/2021/023, took his own life after discovering that the results released on Wednesday meant he would have to repeat Part Two for the second time.

According to the statement, the student, whose father is a medical doctor, allegedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State. He had already been repeating the class during the last academic session.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire expressed deep sorrow over the incident and urged parents to instil in their children the understanding that setbacks are part of life and not the end of the road. He encouraged students to see failure as a chance to redirect their efforts toward future success.

He prayed for comfort for the deceased’s family, friends, faculty, and the entire university community over the loss.