The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has announced plans to visit Osun State University (UNIOSUN) on Monday following the death of a final-year student, Grace Osunlakin, and growing concerns over student welfare and healthcare services across the institution.
The planned visit comes in the wake of the death of Miss Grace Osunlakin, a 400-level student of Criminology and Security Studies at the university's Ifetedo Campus. Her death triggered protests among students, who alleged negligence on the part of the institution.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the South-West Zone D Coordinator of NANS, Adeyemo Josiah, said the association had already engaged the university's management over the incident and received assurances from the Vice-Chancellor that an internal investigation had begun.
He noted that the university subsequently announced the temporary closure of the Ifetedo Campus.
However, NANS said it has continued to receive disturbing reports from students regarding the implementation of the closure and the welfare of those affected.
The association expressed particular concern over reports that students were instructed to leave the campus within a limited period despite transportation difficulties in Ifetedo, exposing many of them to unnecessary hardship and security risks.
It also disclosed that allegations of threats against student leaders during the evacuation process had reached its office, adding that the claims would form part of its discussions with the university management.
According to the statement, an independent fact-finding exercise by the student body also uncovered broader concerns relating to student welfare, emergency healthcare services, medical response systems, and the overall management of students across some campuses of the university.
Although NANS acknowledged that the university had issued official statements explaining its position on the incident, it insisted that all complaints raised by students deserve a fair, transparent and impartial investigation.
The association stated that its leadership would visit the university on Monday, June 29, 2026, to continue discussions with management over the growing concerns surrounding student welfare, healthcare services, emergency response systems, and the general well-being of students.
It explained that the engagement would seek detailed explanations on the issues raised by students while identifying practical measures to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen emergency response mechanisms, and ensure students are not exposed to avoidable risks during their studies.
NANS stressed that the visit was not intended to disrupt academic activities but to fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding the interests, welfare and safety of Nigerian students.
The association also appealed to students to remain peaceful while urging the university management to maintain openness and transparency throughout the ongoing investigation.
"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.
DIP CONNECT ONLINE NEWS recalls that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Friday described Osunlakin's death as painful and heartbreaking, directing a comprehensive review of healthcare service delivery across all campuses of the university.
Meanwhile, the university management denied allegations of negligence, stating that preliminary findings indicated the deceased was never taken to the institution's medical centre on the night of the incident.
According to the university, Osunlakin complained of severe 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 being confirmed dead.
The institution further explained that efforts to transport her were complicated by an unannounced Oro traditional festival, which restricted movement within the community.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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