OAU mourns death of 18-year-old medical student
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has announced the death of an 18-year-old Part Three student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, who reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the deceased was identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, with matriculation number CLI/2022/133. The statement said the student was believed to have died after 2 a.m., based on an account by one of his roommates who reportedly said the deceased opened the door for him around that time.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, management, Senate, staff and students, expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, classmates, colleagues and friends of the deceased.
“The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture,” the Vice-Chancellor said, describing the incident as deeply painful and distressing to the entire university community.
Professor Bamire noted that the university is united in grief over the untimely death of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the hope of serving humanity, adding that his passing has left a void among his peers and all who knew him.
The university management assured the public that it is working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical procedures.
The statement also said the university is putting in place appropriate support measures for students and members of the university community who have been emotionally affected by the loss.
OAU appealed to students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to remain calm, compassionate and prayerful, and to uphold the values of empathy and solidarity for which the university is known.
