The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced the activation of counselling and welfare support services for students and staff following the sudden death of an 18-year-old medical student, Timilehin Toromade.
Toromade, a Part Three student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, 6 January, 2026, throwing the university community into mourning.
In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the institution said the support measures were put in place to help students and members of staff who have been emotionally affected by the tragic loss.
According to the statement, the death of the young medical student has deeply shaken his classmates, roommates and the wider academic community.
Providing details of the incident, the university disclosed that Toromade, who had the matriculation number CLI/2022/133, was last seen alive around 2:00am.
One of his roommates reportedly told authorities that the deceased opened the door for a fellow student at about that time, suggesting that he may have passed away shortly afterwards.
Reacting to the incident, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, described the death as a painful and heartbreaking loss.
Speaking on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students, the VC expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.
“The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture,” Bamire said, noting that Toromade had embraced the rigours of medical training with the aspiration of serving humanity and healing others.
Beyond providing emotional support, the university said it is working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, in line with established medical and investigative procedures.
The management also appealed for calm within the campus, urging students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to uphold the values of compassion, empathy and solidarity for which the university, fondly called Great Ife, is known.
“As a community of faith, hope and learning, we commit the soul of our departed student into the hands of Almighty God, the giver and sustainer of life,” the statement read.
“We pray that the Lord will comfort those who mourn and grant the family and the university community the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
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