OAU mourns as 18-year-old medical student dies while sleeping.

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced the death of an 18-year-old medical student of the institution, describing the incident as a devastating loss to the university community.

The deceased, identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, was a part-three student of Medicine and Surgery in the College of Health Sciences.

In a statement issued by the university, Timilehin was said to have passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The institution said it received the news of his death with shock and deep sorrow.

Preliminary information indicated that the student may have died shortly after 2 a.m. A roommate reportedly said the deceased had opened the door for another student around that time before returning to his room. He was later found unresponsive.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students.

Describing the incident as a painful and tragic loss, Professor Bamire said the death of such a young student, filled with promise and purpose, had left the entire university community in mourning.

“The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He noted that the deceased had embraced the rigours of medical training with the desire to serve humanity, adding that his passing had created a deep sense of loss among his peers, lecturers and all who knew him within the institution.

The university management stated that it is working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical, legal and administrative procedures.

It also disclosed that appropriate support systems are being put in place to assist students and members of the university community who may have been emotionally affected by the loss.

The management appealed to students, staff, alumni and friends of the university to remain calm and compassionate during this difficult period, while extending its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.

The university said Timilehin’s death has cast a sombre mood over the campus, as the community continues to grieve the loss of a promising young medical student.