The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has announced plans to visit Osun State University (UNIOSUN) on Monday to engage the institution’s management over the death of a final-year student, Miss Grace Osunlakin, and growing 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, an incident that triggered protests by students who alleged negligence in the handling of the medical emergency.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the South-West Zone D Coordinator of NANS, Adeyemo Josiah, said the student body had already opened discussions with the university authorities after the incident and was informed by the Vice-Chancellor that an internal investigation had commenced.
He noted that the university subsequently announced the temporary closure of the Ifetedo Campus but said the association continued to receive complaints from students regarding the implementation of the closure and the welfare of those affected.
According to Josiah, reports reaching NANS indicated that students were instructed to vacate the campus within a short period despite transportation difficulties in the Ifetedo community, a situation he said exposed many students to unnecessary hardship and security risks.
He also disclosed that the association had received allegations that some student leaders were threatened during the evacuation process, describing the claims as serious issues that would be addressed during discussions with the university management.
Beyond the circumstances surrounding Osunlakin’s death, NANS said its independent findings revealed broader concerns relating to student welfare, emergency healthcare delivery, medical response systems and the overall management of students across some campuses of the institution.
While acknowledging that UNIOSUN had issued statements explaining its position on the incident, the association maintained that every concern raised by students deserved a transparent and impartial investigation.
“As part of our responsibility to Nigerian students, the leadership of NANS will visit Osun State University on Monday, June 29, 2026, to continue 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,” the statement said.
It added that the visit would also seek explanations on issues raised by students and explore practical reforms aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, improving emergency preparedness and ensuring students are not exposed to avoidable risks while pursuing their education.
NANS stressed that the visit was not intended to disrupt academic activities but rather to reinforce its commitment to protecting the welfare and safety of students.
The association also urged students to remain peaceful while encouraging the university authorities to handle the ongoing investigation with openness and transparency.
“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.
Reacting earlier to the incident, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke described Osunlakin’s death as painful and heartbreaking, directing a comprehensive review of healthcare service delivery across all campuses of the university.
However, the university management has rejected allegations of negligence.
It said preliminary findings indicated that the deceased was never taken to the institution’s medical centre on the night she fell ill.
According to the university, Osunlakin developed 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 medical personnel confirmed her dead.
The institution further stated that efforts to transport the student were complicated by an unannounced Oro traditional rite, which restricted movement within the community at the time of the emergency.
