National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has announced plans to visit Osun State University (UNIOSUN) on Monday following the death of a final-year student, Miss Grace Osunlakin, and growing concerns over student welfare and healthcare services.
The visit comes after the death of Osunlakin, a 400-level Criminology and Security Studies student at the university’s Ifetedo Campus, which triggered protests and allegations of negligence by students.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NANS South-West Zone D Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, said the association had engaged the university management after the incident and received assurances from the Vice-Chancellor that an internal investigation had begun. He noted that the university subsequently announced the temporary closure of the Ifetedo Campus.
However, NANS said it continued to receive disturbing reports from students concerning the implementation of the campus closure and the welfare of those affected..
UniOsun gate. NANS to visit UniOsu over death of student,healthcare concerns
According to the association, students alleged they were directed to vacate the campus within a short period despite transportation challenges in the Ifetedo community, exposing many to hardship and security risks. It also said reports of threats against student leaders during the evacuation process would form part of its discussions with the university management.
NANS further said its independent fact-finding uncovered broader concerns about student welfare, emergency healthcare services, medical response systems and the general management of students across some campuses of the institution.
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While acknowledging that the university had explained its position on the incident, the association maintained that all issues raised by students deserved a fair, transparent and objective examination.
It said the Monday visit would focus on engaging the university management over concerns relating to student welfare, healthcare services, emergency response mechanisms and students’ overall well-being..
The association added that it would seek explanations on the issues raised by students and advocate reforms to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve emergency preparedness and ensure students are not exposed to unnecessary risks.
NANS stressed that the visit was not intended to disrupt academic activities but to fulfil its responsibility of protecting students’ welfare and safety. It urged students to remain peaceful while calling on the university management to be open and transparent throughout the investigation.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier described Osunlakin’s death as painful 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. It stated that Osunlakin developed stomach pain after returning to her off-campus residence and was taken to the Community Health Centre in Ikija, Ifetedo, where she lost consciousness and was confirmed dead. The university also said transportation was affected by an unannounced Oro ritual that restricted movement within the community.
