Ile-Ife — The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the death of Ajibola Ibitayo, a part-two student in the Faculty of Dentistry, who reportedly took his own life after failing his examinations.

In a statement on Thursday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said Ibitayo (Matriculation Number: DEN/2021/023) had been repeating Part Two and was required to repeat the class again after results were released on Wednesday.

“The student… committed suicide after learning that the results of the last semester examinations… would require him to repeat Part Two for another academic year,” the statement read.

According to the university, the student, whose father is a medical doctor, allegedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire described the incident as a “great loss” to the institution, urging parents and guardians to help young people understand that setbacks are part of life’s journey and not a final verdict.

He encouraged students to see failure as a chance to redirect their efforts toward future success, while praying for God’s comfort for the bereaved family, the Faculty of Dentistry, the College of Health Sciences, and the wider OAU community.