OAU dentistry student commits suicide after exam setback

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

A Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ajibola Ibitayo, has committed suicide after reportedly learning he would have to repeat the class for another academic year.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday, said Ibitayo, with Matriculation Number DEN/2021/023, took his life after discovering from the last semester’s examination results, released yesterday, that he would be repeating Part Two for another academic session, having already repeated it in the previous session.

According to the statement, the student, whose father is a medical doctor, allegedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the incident as deeply saddening and urged parents and guardians to help their children understand that setbacks are part of life and not its end.

He also called on students and youths to see failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward greater success.

Bamire prayed that God Almighty would grant the parents, family, Faculty, College of Health Sciences, and the university community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, the Obafemi Awolowo University Dental Students’ Association described the incident as a devastating loss.

In an official statement signed by its President, Adebayo Idris, the association encouraged all students of the faculty to reach out to one another, offer support, and seek professional help when needed, noting that mental health is just as important as physical health and that no one should ever feel alone in their struggles.