Ifeoluwa Wisdom Akinmade, a 200-level medical student of the University of Ibadan (UI), has reportedly died after consuming a substance believed to be toxic.
The incident was announced on Monday in a statement jointly signed by Folusho Olu-Adegbola and Babatunde Dauda, president and general secretary of the UI Medical Students Association (UIMSA).
“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our brother and colleague, Ifeoluwa Wisdom Akinmade, a member of the 200-level Constituency,” the statement read.
“In this moment of profound grief, let us come together in quiet reflection and hold our departed brother, his family, his close friends, and all who have known and loved him in heartfelt prayers, that they may find divine comfort, strength, and peace amid this unbearable sorrow.”
An Ibadan-based social media influencer, known on X as Hon. Jesugbemi, also shared the UIMSA statement, adding that the news was formally communicated by the warden of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall.
According to the influencer’s post quoting the hall warden, Akinmade was suspected to have ingested a substance believed to be Sniper around midnight on Saturday. He was initially rushed to a medical facility within the university before being transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he later died after reportedly being in a coma for several hours.
“This is a very sad event on the first day of the month. Friends, there is absolutely nothing that should happen to you that should lead you to take your life,” the influencer wrote, urging people to seek help and share their challenges with trusted friends and senior colleagues.
Another X user, Daniel of Ibadan, who shared the hall warden’s message on Monday, claimed that Akinmade allegedly took his life over a low continuous assessment (CA) score.
“Even when you’re thinking of doing it, think of what your parents will go through! Suicide is never an option, please!” Daniel wrote.
When contacted, Joke Akinpelu, spokesperson for the University of Ibadan, referred enquiries to Demola Lewis, the Dean of Student Affairs. However, calls and messages sent to Lewis were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
According to Punch, Funmi Adetuyibi, the Public Relations Officer of UCH, confirmed the student’s death.
“The boy passed away on Sunday evening. The student was brought in based on the report that he consumed Sniper, and the UCH responded accordingly. Sadly, he did not survive,” Adetuyibi said.
As of press time, the university management had yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
