The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has called on students to view academic challenges as stepping stones to success following the tragic death of a dentistry student who took his own life after learning he would repeat an academic year.
Ajibola Ibitayo, a Part Two student in the Faculty of Dentistry with matriculation number DEN/2021/023, allegedly committed suicide at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, after discovering that his semester results would require him to repeat Part Two for the second time.
In a statement issued Thursday through the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, Professor Bamire expressed profound sorrow over the incident and offered prayers for divine strength for the bereaved family, faculty members, and the entire university community.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the deceased, whose father is a medical doctor, reportedly injected himself following the release of the previous semester’s examination results. The student had already been repeating Part Two during the last academic session.
“The entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” the statement read.
Professor Bamire used the tragic incident to emphasize the importance of resilience in academic pursuits, urging students to seek help when feeling overwhelmed rather than making irreversible decisions.
“Setbacks are a natural part of the journey to success. Failure should be seen as a stepping stone to greater achievement, not a reason to give up,” Bamire stated, describing the death as irreparable.
The Vice-Chancellor called on parents and guardians to educate their children about viewing temporary setbacks, particularly in academics, as opportunities for growth and redirection rather than insurmountable obstacles.
He stressed that academic challenges, no matter how daunting, should never drive anyone to make such drastic decisions, encouraging students to reach out for support during difficult times.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about mental health among university students and the pressure associated with academic performance, particularly in competitive fields like medicine and dentistry.
The university community continues to mourn the loss while reflecting on the need for better support systems to help students cope with academic challenges and personal pressures.
