The University College Hospital in Ibadan and the University of Ibadan community have been plunged into mourning following the death of a 300-level medical student who allegedly took his own life by ingesting an insecticide.

The student, whose name had not been officially released at the time of reporting, was discovered on the ground floor of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, one of the university’s male hostels. Witnesses said he was found lying motionless, foaming at the mouth and visibly disoriented before losing consciousness.

According to accounts from students in the hostel, the victim reportedly confessed to having ingested an insecticide commonly known as Sniper shortly before he became unresponsive. Alarmed colleagues raised the alarm and rushed him to the university’s Jaja Clinic.

Medical personnel at the clinic were said to have stabilised him temporarily with oxygen and intravenous fluids before arranging his transfer to the emergency unit of the University College Hospital for more intensive care. There, he was placed on life support as doctors battled to save his life.

The Public Relations Officer of UCH, Funmi Adetuyibi, confirmed the incident and the student’s death. She said the hospital received the patient with a report that he had consumed the toxic substance and that all necessary emergency protocols were activated. Despite these efforts, he did not survive.

The student’s parents, who live in Akure, Ondo State, were reportedly contacted and arrived at the hospital before he passed away. While they expressed suspicion that their son might have been poisoned, his roommates maintained that he had clearly stated he took the insecticide himself.

Those close to him described a recent pattern of withdrawal and distress. Roommates and classmates said he had been skipping lectures, keeping to himself and avoiding phone calls from home. These behavioural changes have fuelled concerns about his mental state in the period leading up to the tragedy.

The incident has reignited conversations on campus about mental health, academic pressure and the ease of access to highly toxic substances. Students and staff have called for stronger counselling support systems and tighter regulation of dangerous chemicals to prevent similar occurrences.