The Nigeria Police Force is investigating ithe circumstances surrounding the death of a final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, who allegedly committed suicide.
According to reports, the deceased, identified as Oluwole Oluwaseun, was a student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
OAU said the incident occurred at an apartment in the Damico area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife, where the student was found in an emergency situation on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
A statement issued on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026, by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the institution received information about the emergency at about 1:30 p.m, and its Quick Response and Security Team immediately proceeded to the location after receiving the report.
“The Nigeria Police was immediately contacted, and officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, joined the university’s security personnel at the scene,” the statement said.
The student was subsequently taken to the university’s Health Centre, where a medical doctor certified him dead.
The university expressed concern ovet the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and had handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene over to the police.
“The student was subsequently conveyed to the University Health Centre, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.
“The university is deeply concerned by the circumstances surrounding the death and has handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene to the police for further investigation.
“The police have commenced investigation into the circumstances of the incident,” the statement said.
The development has also sparked grief among students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, where Oluwole was a final-year student.
The Association of Materials Science and Engineering Students, Obafemi Awolowo University (AMSES OAU), described his death as a deeply painful loss to his course mates.
In a condolence announcement issued to members of the association, AMSES said the students had been looking forward to completing their academic journey together with Oluwole.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear course mate and fellow member, Oluwole Seun, a final-year student of our department.
“His passing is a deeply painful loss to us, especially at a time when we were all looking forward to completing this journey together.”
The association extended its condolences to Oluwole’s family, friends and loved ones, saying it stood with them in their moment of grief.
“On behalf of the entire association, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. We stand with the family in this difficult moment and share in their grief.”
The students’ association also called on its members to remember the deceased’s family in their thoughts and prayers.
“Let us keep his family in our thoughts and prayers, and may God grant them the strength and comfort to bear this great loss.
“May God grant Oluwole Seun eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to carry on.
“Rest in peace, Seun.”
Meanwhile, the university has urged members of its community to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information or speculation while the police investigation continues.
OAU also appealed to students facing severe emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other personal challenges to seek help from trusted individuals and appropriate university support structures.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the welfare of staff and students, stressing that “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.”
The university management assured students, staff and other members of the university community that the appropriate authorities were handling the matter.
It added that further information would be communicated through official channels where necessary and appropriate.
