A 23-year-old student of the Nigerian Law School, Faith Ajoke Alayande, has died after allegedly falling from the rooftop of a four-storey hostel building at the institution’s campus in Victoria Island, Lagos. The incident occurred on Friday, August 7, 2026, just 86 days before her Bar finals, a fact she highlighted in an upbeat video posted on her Instagram handle six days prior.
Video Shows Optimism Before Tragedy
In the video, captioned “86 days to Bar Finals 100%,” Alayande is seen smiling warmly as she strolls along an empty road. She added the words “Lawyer in training” to the post, suggesting she was looking forward to her legal career. The video has since been widely shared on social media, contrasting sharply with the tragic news of her death.
According to a report shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama, another student discovered Alayande’s body within the hostel premises on the morning of August 7. The student alerted the Chief Matron of the Law School, who proceeded to the scene and found the deceased lying on the ground.
Suicide Note and Police Confirmation
The matron reported the incident at the Victoria Island Police Division at about 6:30 am. The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident, stating that the matron disclosed that another student and a relative reportedly found a suicide note written by Alayande, prompting them to search for her.
“I can confirm the incident. The deceased reportedly wrote a suicide note and, before her hostel mate and a relative could locate her, she jumped from the rooftop of a four-storey building,” Adebisi said. “The matron of the hostel reported the incident, prompting police operatives to visit the scene. Her body has been evacuated to a morgue for preservation.”
Investigation Underway
The police spokesperson added that an investigation is ongoing into the incident. The Lagos State Police Command has not released further details, but the case has drawn attention to mental health challenges among students, particularly those under academic pressure.
The Nigerian Law School has not issued an official statement as of this report. However, the incident has sparked discussions on social media, with many expressing condolences and calling for better mental health support for law students.
Alayande’s death is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by students in rigorous academic programs. The police investigation aims to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death, and her body remains at a morgue pending further inquiries.
