The management of Osun State University has expressed concern over misleading narratives circulating on social media regarding the death of Miss Grace Osunlakin, a final-year student of the institution. In a release signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the institution presented a detailed sequence of events surrounding her passing to clarify the circumstances of her death.
According to the report obtained by Olofofo Uniosun, Osunlakin was a final-year student in the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Faculty of Liberal Studies, College of Law, Ifetedo Campus.
She successfully defended her final-year project on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m. before a panel chaired by the Head of Department, Dr. Ademolu Adenuga. After the defence, she interacted with her project supervisor and fellow students before returning to her off-campus residence, a privately rented apartment. The university noted that she showed no visible signs of illness while on campus that day.
The institution disclosed that Grace had been identified as an asthmatic patient since her 100-level, a condition documented in her medical records at the University Health Centre, Ifetedo Campus. Records indicate she was last treated at the University Health Services on March 26, 2026.
According to testimonies obtained from her friend, housemate, and coursemate, Miss Durosinmi Mariam, Grace returned from a Christian fellowship later that evening and complained of stomach pain. She subsequently went to the toilet, where she screamed, drawing her housemate’s attention. Mariam found her in distress and assisted her back to her room, where she was laid on a mattress while her condition was monitored.
When her condition worsened, a decision was made to take her to a medical facility at about 11:30 p.m. However, movement at that time was reportedly hampered by an unannounced Oro ritual in the Ifetedo community, which placed restrictions on night movement and made transportation difficult. Despite this, efforts were made to transport her by motorcycle to the Community Health Centre at Ikija, Ifetedo.
The university stressed that at no point on the night of the incident was Grace taken to the University Health Centre.
Upon arrival at the Community Health Centre, Grace had lost consciousness and was immediately placed on a stretcher. Her friends and fellow students subsequently contacted the Head of Department, who was outside the community in Ondo State at the time.
Her project supervisor, Dr. Oyeyipo Eyitayo, and the Acting Head of Peace and Conflict Studies, Dr. Olawale Gbadeyan, were reached at about 11:46 p.m. Both lecturers immediately proceeded to the Community Health Centre, where the matron on duty confirmed her death in the presence of her friends.
Seeking further medical confirmation, Dr. Oyeyipo and Dr. Gbadeyan transported Grace to Goshen Specialist Hospital in Ondo, accompanied by other students including the College President, Moshood Ali Olaide. On arrival at approximately 12:10 a.m., the doctor on duty carried out preliminary checks and confirmed she was dead on arrival.
The doctor advised that her remains be deposited in a mortuary. The team subsequently proceeded to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, popularly known as the General Hospital, where her body was deposited at the Divine Haven Funeral Home at about 1:21 a.m.
The university noted that throughout the process, the Head of Department and the Dean of the Faculty maintained constant communication with those involved.
Management reiterated that Grace was an asthmatic patient and emphasised that she was not taken to the University Medical Centre at any point on the day of her death.
Meanwhile, Olofofo Uniosun learnt that students of the Ifetedo Campus have expressed concern over what they described as the poor state of healthcare facilities on the campus, questioning whether adequate medical infrastructure was in place to respond to emergencies. Many took to social media to call on the university management to prioritise and improve healthcare services for students.
The university extended its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Grace Osunlakin and assured stakeholders that further necessary reviews into the circumstances surrounding the incident would continue.
