The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Joint Campus Council, has raised fresh alarm over the death of Taiwo Godwin, a Post-Basic Nursing student of the School of Psychiatric Nursing, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, alleging medical negligence and lack of emergency facilities.
The association, in a follow-up statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Faruq Olabode, said its leadership alongside the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Southwest and Ogun chapters, and other sister student bodies embarked on a fact-finding mission to the hospital.
Daily Sun recalls that NANS Ogun on Friday issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the hospital’s management to provide a satisfactory explanation for the student’s demise or risk a massive protest.
In the latest statement, Olabode said Saturday’s visit was necessitated by serious allegations of medical negligence and professional misconduct involving a doctor at the facility (name withheld) and other medical personnel reportedly on duty at the time of the incident, adding that the mission was to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure the matter is not swept under the carpet.
He disclosed that upon arrival, they met the Students’ Union President and other students already blocking the main entrance in protest.
Giving an account gathered from students who were with the deceased, NANS said Godwin was on the football field with colleagues at about 4:00 pm when he suffered an asthma attack and had to step aside before calling a friend who accompanied him to the General Medical Practice Unit for emergency attention.
The student body alleged that medical personnel on duty failed to attend to him promptly, claiming the delay was influenced by a directive attributed to the said doctor, who had reportedly insisted on personally attending to emergency cases.
NANS further alleged that the doctor arrived about 15 minutes later and spent several minutes attempting to locate a vein despite offers of assistance from other licensed nurses present, which were reportedly rejected.
According to the association, the doctor subsequently brought an oxygen cylinder and inserted a nasal cannula into the deceased’s nostrils without immediately activating the oxygen supply, a development that reportedly raised concerns because the deceased required urgent intervention for an asthma attack.
It was also alleged that concerns raised about the oxygen supply were not promptly addressed and that the deceased’s friend, who is a licensed nurse, was threatened with sedation after attempting to intervene.
NANS said of particular concern was the allegation that the hospital lacked readily available first-aid treatment and essential emergency supplies, as the deceased’s friend reportedly had to go outside the hospital to obtain medicines during the emergency, raising serious questions about the institution’s preparedness.
The situation, according to NANS, escalated when the friend shouted to attract personnel from other units, who arrived and activated the oxygen supply, but Godwin could not be saved and was eventually pronounced dead by the doctor.
The student body described the accounts as deeply troubling but maintained that an independent, transparent and comprehensive investigation must establish the facts and determine whether professional standards were breached.
Following its engagement, NANS said it held a meeting with the management of the institution where it demanded that the management should issue an official press statement addressing the circumstances of the incident and providing a factual account based on verified findings.
It also demanded that the management should formally report the incident to the police and cooperate fully with an independent investigation into the allegations against the doctor and all other personnel on duty, with appropriate lawful action taken where justified.
In addition, NANS asked that all burial arrangements should respect the wishes and lawful decisions of the deceased’s family and that the family should be adequately informed of the circumstances surrounding his death.
The association further demanded that emergency operations at the GMCU should be temporarily suspended until necessary equipment, first-aid materials, emergency medicines and other essential facilities are provided and its readiness is independently assessed.
NANS warned that failure to meet the demands within the agreed timeframe would leave it with no option but to mobilise students for a massive protest on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Olabode stressed that the leadership would not stand by while serious allegations concerning the loss of a student’s life are ignored, noting that the planned action is not intended to obstruct justice but to demand accountability, institutional responsibility and protection of students’ right to timely medical care.
The association also called on the Federal Ministry of State for Health and Social Development under Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako to urgently investigate the reported lack of essential medical equipment and facilities at the hospital.
It questioned how a federal medical institution responsible for healthcare and professional training could allegedly lack basic resources required to respond effectively to a medical emergency, stating that the reported need for a colleague to obtain medicines outside the hospital during a life-threatening emergency demands immediate scrutiny.
Olabode said the death of Taiwo Godwin must not become another unresolved tragedy, as his family deserves answers and the student community deserves accountability.
Hospital launches probe
Meanwhile, the management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said it has launched an investigation into the student’s death.
The institution made this known in a Saturday statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Abiola Ajibola, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director.
The hospital expressed sadness over Godwin’s death, which occurred at its General Medical Practice Unit.
It vowed to ensure the investigation is conducted in line with established procedures, noting that the probe would be expedited, thorough, impartial and transparent.
“We further assure all concerned that every necessary step will be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified, and ensure that justice is served,” the statement reads in part.
The hospital said it would cooperate with relevant authorities and stakeholders as required, and appealed to members of the public to exercise restraint and allow the investigation to run its course.
“While we appreciate the concerns and emotions surrounding this tragic event, we urge the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without prejudice to its findings,” the statement further reads.
The hospital equally expressed condolences to Godwin’s family, friends, colleagues, fellow students and members of the nursing community over the loss.
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