By Adesakin Adefemi
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, was thrown into mourning on Thursday after Adewole Emmanuel, a 400-level medical student, died following a reported collapse moments before his final session examination.
Emmanuel’s death was announced in a statement released by the Ife University Medical Students Association (IFUMSA) on Thursday, April 22, 2026. The association said it was writing “with the heaviest of hearts” to inform the university community of the loss.
“Under the cover of dark clouds, we write to you with the heaviest of hearts to inform you of the passing of one of our own, an integral part of the association and a solid pillar of his class,” the IFUMSA statement reads.
The association described the deceased as “a colleague, friend, roommate, and a Part 4 medical student with an undeniably bright future until the time of his passing.” It called Emmanuel a “rising star and a loving member of the IFUMSA family.”
IFUMSA said the incident was “not only sad, but crucially painful” for students and staff of the College of Health Sciences. The body asked the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of Emmanuel’s family during what it called “this vulnerable period.”
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from classmates and colleagues. A fellow medical student, @to37867_toyyib, mourned Emmanuel on X and alleged that the ambulance that responded when he collapsed had no stretcher. The claim could not be independently verified as of press time.
The university management had not issued an official statement on the circumstances of Emmanuel’s death or the state of emergency response equipment as of Thursday evening. Students are awaiting clarification on what transpired in the moments leading to the tragedy.
IFUMSA said it would announce burial arrangements in consultation with the family. The association urged members to honour Emmanuel’s memory and support one another through the loss.
The death comes during a critical exam period for medical students at OAU, casting a pall over the campus. Counselling services have been made available to students through the College of Health Sciences, sources within the association said.
