Two Nigerian academic communities have been plunged into mourning following separate tragic deaths of two young men—one a current student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, and the other a recent graduate of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD)—in incidents that occurred just days apart.
On Thursday, a male student of UNIZIK reportedly died after jumping from the third floor of a private lodge located near Royal Kitchen Junction in Ifite-Awka. Eyewitnesses and initial responders say the student may have ingested a dangerous substance suspected to be methamphetamine, locally called mkpurummiri, shortly before the incident occurred.
Emergency efforts to save the victim proved futile. He was confirmed dead upon arrival at a nearby medical facility. A visibly shaken lodge resident via phone call told The Nigeria Education News, “We just heard a loud thud. People ran downstairs and saw him lying motionless. It was heartbreaking.”
Authorities also found the deceased’s roommate in a semi-conscious, incoherent state inside their shared room. He was immediately taken into custody and is receiving medical attention. Police say he will be formally questioned once his condition stabilizes.
UNIZIK’s Chief Safety Officer, Mr. Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the fatality and emphasized the school’s limited control over students residing off-campus. “The lodge in question is privately owned. While we are saddened by the incident, we’re currently assisting security agencies in the investigation and awaiting conclusive reports,” Chukwurah stated.
The death has reignited debates on the rising abuse of psychoactive substances among students, particularly in privately-run accommodations that fall outside university jurisdiction. Many student leaders and parents are now calling for stricter monitoring of student welfare outside campus gates.
Just three days before the UNIZIK tragedy, another young life was cut short in Ibadan. Feranmi Akin-Akinye, a 22-year-old ABUAD graduate, died after falling from the 24th floor of Cocoa House, Nigeria’s iconic skyscraper located in the Oke-Bola area of the city.
Feranmi, who had been undergoing a cybersecurity training program with a private firm operating from the building’s eighth floor, was reportedly assisting in mounting a banner when the supporting platform gave way. He died on the spot.
While early media speculation pointed to suicide, Feranmi’s family and close associates insist the incident was purely accidental. “He wasn’t depressed. He was doing well in his training. The company sent him to do something he wasn’t trained for,” said a relative who requested anonymity.
An aggrieved neighbor who knew Feranmi described him as diligent and focused. “I blame the company for negligence. He had no business being that high up without safety gear or supervision. This wasn’t part of his job description,” she said.
Odu’a Investment Company Limited, which manages Cocoa House, acknowledged the incident in a press release but refrained from disclosing the victim’s identity. The statement noted that they are “fully cooperating with authorities” and committed to ensuring a transparent investigation.
Critics have since questioned workplace safety protocols, especially for interns and trainees, in environments where tasks carry physical risk. Human rights advocates argue that Feranmi’s death highlights systemic lapses in labor protections for young professionals.
Meanwhile, both cases have drawn public attention to broader issues affecting Nigerian students and recent graduates—ranging from the dangers of drug addiction to occupational hazards faced by untrained youth trying to navigate a difficult job market.
Grief now hangs over two once-hopeful stories. At UNIZIK, classmates and neighbors have held candlelight prayers in memory of their fallen peer. In Ibadan, Feranmi’s family is preparing for burial, even as they await answers—and justice.
