A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in Kwara State, as a promising 200-level male student reportedly took his own life due to overwhelming financial difficulties.
The student, whose identity has not yet been officially disclosed, was an undergraduate from the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (CIS). He was known to be a brilliant scholar with a cumulative academic standing of 4.5 CGPA in the Department of Mass Communication.
The tragic incident occurred at his private residence, which is situated in the Oke-Odo axis of the Tanke community in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State. Sources within the university community revealed that the student had been battling severe financial hardships, which ultimately led him to take this drastic step.
According to reports, the young student lost his father a few years ago, a devastating loss that significantly impacted his financial stability. Since then, his mother, a retired school teacher, had taken sole responsibility for funding his education and personal needs.
However, despite his mother’s efforts, the financial burden became increasingly difficult to bear. Sources disclosed that the student’s financial struggles escalated when he resumed school last year. His peers, recognizing his distress, reportedly contributed funds to assist him by paying his tuition fees and purchasing food items to ease his burden.
Sadly, despite the support from his friends, the weight of his financial troubles continued to take a toll on him. The situation became unbearable, and last weekend, he made the tragic decision to end his life. Reports indicate that after his roommate had left for lectures, the young student ingested a poisonous substance within the confines of their private accommodation.
It was further revealed that he left behind a heart-wrenching suicide note addressed to his roommate. In the note, he expressed his frustration and despair, citing his inability to cope with the relentless financial struggles that plagued his life.
His sudden death has left the university community in deep sorrow, as classmates, lecturers, and friends struggle to come to terms with the tragic loss of a brilliant and hardworking student. Many have taken to social media to mourn him, with calls for increased financial assistance for struggling students and better mental health awareness programs in Nigerian universities.
The University of Ilorin authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the tragic incident, but students and sympathizers continue to pay tribute, reflecting on the immense challenges faced by many students in similar financial predicaments.
May his soul rest in peace.