Covenant University Breaks Silence on Student's Death, Discloses Cause
Covenant University has officially confirmed the tragic death of 500-level Building Technology student, Toluwase Jesutunmise Emmanuel, following his collapse during a campus football session. The university, through a statement signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Timothy A. Anake, attributed the student's death to a previously undisclosed heart condition and firmly denied any claims of negligence or lack of medical equipment.
Details of the Incident and University Response
According to the university's account, Jesutunmise had stepped out of a football match, part of the Chancellor's Cup tournament, after complaining of leg pains and fatigue. Fellow students reportedly saw him struggling to breathe and quickly carried him to the campus medical centre, but he had stopped breathing before reaching the facility. Doctors administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using an automated external defibrillator (AED), but all efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The statement emphasized that the management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, was present at the Medical Centre from the time of the incident until the parents arrived and remained with the family until Jesutunmise was laid to rest. The Vice-Chancellor further affirmed that there was no shortage of medical personnel or equipment during the event, describing Jesutunmise as a diligent and vibrant student whose loss is deeply felt across the community.
Campus Tensions and Student Concerns
Despite the official account, several students have taken to social media to voice their concerns, alleging that the university failed to provide basic medical care such as oxygen or nebulizers. Some claimed that prayers were prioritized over urgent medical intervention, with school leadership, including church-affiliated figures, joining in the prayers.
Others referenced previous campus incidents, including deaths in 2017 and 2025, suggesting a pattern of delayed medical response during emergencies. Allegations have also circulated that the campus Wi-Fi was restricted to limit information flow. One social media account compiled by a gist aggregator, TrendX, detailed past cases where students reportedly died due to similar issues with medical response and reliance on prayer.
While these student claims remain unverified, they have sparked significant concern about the readiness of campus medical facilities for emergencies and the alleged use of prayer for conditions requiring urgent medical attention. The university's official statement urged the public to respect the family's privacy and reiterated that Jesutunmise's death was due to his underlying heart condition, not institutional negligence.
Covenant University extended condolences to the family and stated it would continue to support them during this difficult period. The institution also highlighted its commitment to maintaining a disciplined academic environment, as seen in its reaffirmed campus policies in 2025 regarding student lifestyle and technology use.
