By Abdulhammed Abdulmalik Ayodeji | Fact Frontier.
Click here to read more about the reporter.
The death of Kabirat, a student of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) department at Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo campus, has thrown the university community into mourning and sparked intense conversations about student welfare, academic pressure, and mental health support within the institution.
Kabirat, whose age was not immediately disclosed, reportedly passed away earlier this week under circumstances that remain unclear. While official details surrounding the incident are yet to be fully released, her death has deeply affected fellow students, particularly within the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
According to information gathered from students, Kabirat had reportedly been struggling emotionally in recent times, following repeated academic setbacks. Sources within the department allege that she experienced significant distress after moving from a position of strong academic performance to failing multiple courses, a situation they say contributed to worsening depression.
Several students have described the learning environment within the department as “toxic,” alleging that intense academic pressure, fear of failure, and what they termed “arbitrary assessment practices” had taken a toll on students’ mental well-being.
The pressure is too much. People are afraid to talk because once you fail, you are treated like you don’t matter anymore,a student said.
Another course mate added:
She was not lazy. She was trying. But when someone keeps failing despite effort, and there is no emotional or mental support, it breaks the person.
While some students believe the incident occurred either on campus or off campus within the school environment, the exact location of the incident has not been officially confirmed as of the time of this report.
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Following the news of Kabirat’s death, students took to social media platforms to express grief, anger, and frustration, with many calling on the university authorities to urgently address mental health challenges among students. Others described the loss as a painful reminder of the silent battles many undergraduates face.
We keep losing people, and nothing changes,one student wrote online.
Mental health is not taken seriously until it is too late.
As of the time of filing this report, UNIOSUN management has not issued a detailed public statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding Kabirat’s death or addressing the allegations raised by students. There has also been no confirmation regarding whether an internal investigation has been launched.
Students and advocates have urged the university to introduce stronger mental health support systems, including counseling services, academic mentoring, and fair assessment review processes.
This should not just be another condolence message. There must be real action,a student representative said.
Kabirat’s death has renewed calls for Nigerian universities to prioritize student mental health alongside academic excellence. Many students insist that without urgent reforms, similar tragedies could occur again.
As the UNIOSUN community continues to mourn, students, parents, and observers await an official response from the university authorities to clarify the facts, address concerns raised, and outline steps to prevent future occurrences.
