By Tabitha Oyebade
The death of Agwuncha Victor Chukwuemeka, a 200-level student of the Department of Business Administration, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, has sparked concerns over campus transportation safety and emergency medical response following an incident involving a university shuttle bus on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
The Students’ Union Government (SUG), in a statement issued on Tuesday, alleged that the student fell off a moving shuttle bus after reportedly being instructed by the driver to attach himself to the vehicle, raising questions about the conduct of the driver and the safety standards governing campus transportation.
According to the Union’s account, the incident occurred after the shuttle bus arrived at the school gate and all passengers alighted. As students attempted to re-enter the vehicle, an unidentified individual reportedly entered and occupied a seat previously occupied by the deceased.
The SUG alleged that rather than resolving the situation appropriately, the driver instructed the student to attach himself to the moving bus so they could proceed with their journey.
Tragedy struck before the vehicle reached Mosque Junction, when the student reportedly fell off and became unconscious. He was immediately rushed to the university’s Mini Campus Health Centre for medical attention.
However, the Union expressed concern over reports that the presentation of the student’s identification card was demanded before treatment could be administered. The student reportedly died within minutes of the incident.
Describing the alleged instruction as dangerous and unacceptable, the SUG questioned the safety standards governing campus transportation and the emergency response procedures of the university’s health facility.
The Union disclosed that the police had intervened and that the driver involved was currently with the relevant authorities. It added that it would allow the investigative process to take its course while insisting that all parties found culpable be held accountable.
The SUG further revealed that the Fele-led administration had previously engaged relevant stakeholders over concerns about reckless driving, disregard for passenger safety and the continued operation of shuttle buses whose roadworthiness had been questioned.
Consequently, the Union demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, an immediate review of the university’s campus transportation system, and an inspection of all shuttle buses, with vehicles found unfit for operation withdrawn from service.
It also called for appropriate disciplinary and legal consequences for any driver found culpable, an investigation into the health centre’s reported response, and the establishment of an emergency medical framework that guarantees immediate treatment irrespective of students’ ability to produce identification or administrative documents.
The Union warned that the incident must not be treated as an isolated occurrence, stressing that previous concerns about transportation safety must receive the urgency they deserve to prevent further loss of lives.
Meanwhile, the university’s management, in a separate news release, announced the suspension of lectures and academic activities for two days in honour of the deceased. The suspension covers Tuesday, November 10, and Wednesday, November 11, with academic activities scheduled to resume on Thursday, November 12.
The management also expressed condolences to the bereaved family, friends, coursemates and lecturers of the deceased, while appealing to students to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information or graphic images, and respect the family’s privacy.
In a separate condolence statement, the Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences Students’ Association (FAMSSA) also mourned Victor’s death, extending its sympathies to his family, friends, classmates and the entire faculty community.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of students using campus shuttle services and the adequacy of emergency medical response within the university, with calls for accountability and institutional reforms to prevent a recurrence.