The University of Lagos (UNILAG) community has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Balogun Damilola, the President of the Faculty of Education. According to reports circulating on social media, Damilola drowned on Saturday, September 20, 2025, after being swept away by a powerful wave at a beach in Lagos.
The incident reportedly occurred while Damilola and his friends, also students of the faculty, were on a recreational outing. An account of the event suggests that he was attempting a backflip near the shore for a video when a wave suddenly pulled him into the water.
Eyewitness reports shared online indicate that efforts to rescue him were unsuccessful. His body was reportedly recovered the following morning at Museyo Beach in Ibeju-Lekki, approximately two kilometers from the location of the incident.
Tributes Pour In for a Promising Leader
News of his death has led to an outpouring of grief from students and friends who remembered him as a vibrant and ambitious leader. Damilola, also known by his alias Ayanfe Eledumare, had recently been elected Faculty President after serving as Vice President the previous year.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) Doyindoski, identified as his former roommate, wrote, “He was my roommate. Always brought Lacoco and the likes to the room. A real vibe, man. And bro just became the President of his faculty… RIP Balogun Damilola.”
As of Monday afternoon, neither the university management nor local authorities have released an official statement on the tragedy. The incident has once again sparked urgent conversations among the public regarding the need for improved safety measures, including the presence of lifeguards and warning signs, at Lagos beaches.
