NANS to visit UNIOSUN over final-year student’s death, healthcare concerns

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Southwest Zone D, has announced plans to visit the Osun State University on Monday over the death of a final-year student, Miss Grace Osunlakin, and broader concerns about student welfare and healthcare services.

The planned visit follows the death of Osunlakin, a 400-level Criminology and Security Studies student at the university’s Ifetedo Campus, which sparked protests and allegations of negligence by students.

In a statement on Saturday, the NANS South-West Zone D Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, said the student body had engaged the university management following the incident and received assurances from the Vice-Chancellor that an internal investigation had commenced.

According to him, the university subsequently announced the temporary closure of the Ifetedo Campus.

However, NANS said it had continued to receive “disturbing reports” from students regarding the implementation of the closure and the welfare of those affected.

“Particularly worrisome are reports alleging that students were directed to vacate the campus within a short period despite the peculiar transportation challenges associated with the Ifetedo community, thereby exposing many students to avoidable hardship and security risks.

“Our office has also received reports alleging threats against student leaders during the evacuation process. These reports are serious and will form part of our ongoing engagement with the university management,” the statement read.

The association said its independent fact-finding also uncovered wider concerns about student welfare, emergency healthcare services, medical response systems and the general management of students across some campuses of the institution.

While acknowledging that the university had released statements explaining its position on the incident, NANS insisted that all concerns raised by students deserved “a fair, transparent, and objective examination.”

It said, “Consequently, the leadership of NANS will storm Osun State University on Monday, 29th June 2026, to continue its engagement with the university management over the escalating concerns relating to student welfare, healthcare services, emergency response mechanisms, and the overall well-being of students across the institution.

“Our engagement will also seek clear explanations on the concerns raised by students and identify practical reforms capable of strengthening healthcare delivery, improving emergency preparedness, and ensuring that no student is placed at unnecessary risk while pursuing his or her education.”

The association stressed that the visit was not intended to disrupt academic activities but to reinforce its responsibility of protecting students’ welfare and safety.

It also urged students to remain peaceful while calling on the university management to embrace openness and transparency throughout the investigation.

“The life of every Nigerian student matters. Student welfare must never be treated as an afterthought, and no institution should compromise the safety, dignity, or well-being of those entrusted to its care,” the statement added.

PUNCH Online reported on Friday that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke described Osunlakin’s death as “painful and deeply heartbreaking” and directed a comprehensive review of healthcare service delivery across all university campuses.

The university management, however, denied allegations of negligence, saying preliminary findings showed the deceased was never 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 reportedly lost consciousness before being confirmed dead.

It added that transportation was hampered by an unannounced Oro ritual restricting movement within the community.