Tragedy struck the Nigerian Law School’s Yola Campus over the weekend when a student, Ayomiposi Ojajuni, reportedly took his own life after being denied the opportunity to sit for the Bar Final Examination. The incident has sparked widespread concern about the pressures faced by law students, the handling of disciplinary actions, and the urgent need for mental health support within academic institutions in Nigeria.
According to sources close to the family, Ojajuni, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, was scheduled to sit for the Bar Final Examination on Saturday, December 6, 2025. On the morning of the exam, he was informed that he had been disqualified from participating, reportedly due to prior disciplinary issues and several queries previously issued by the school authorities. Distraught by the news, Ojajuni is said to have ingested a harmful substance and was immediately rushed to Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital in Yola. Medical personnel worked to save him, but he was pronounced dead on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The incident highlights the immense pressures faced by students at the Nigerian Law School. The Bar Final Examination is a crucial milestone in the legal profession, and disqualification or failure can feel like a life-altering setback. Sources suggest that repeated disciplinary queries may have contributed to Ojajuni’s despair, raising critical questions about the way academic institutions communicate and enforce disciplinary decisions, particularly in high-stakes professional programs.
This tragedy is not an isolated case. In recent years, there have been reports of students across various Nigerian Law School campuses and universities ending their lives under circumstances linked to academic pressures and institutional decisions. Such recurring incidents underscore the systemic challenges of balancing academic rigor with student welfare and mental health support.
The death of Ojajuni has sparked reactions among students, legal practitioners, and advocacy groups, who have called for urgent reforms within the Nigerian Law School. Concerns focus on the need for transparent disciplinary processes that are fair, compassionate, and clearly communicated, as well as the provision of mental health services and counseling support for students under intense academic and psychological pressure. Many argue that institutions must create a supportive environment where students facing setbacks can seek help without fear of stigma or severe punitive measures.
Ojajuni’s death also raises pressing questions about institutional responsibility. Observers are asking how schools can manage disciplinary actions without endangering students’ mental health and what resources are in place to assist those experiencing emotional distress. The incident challenges authorities to consider whether high-stakes exams and professional training can coexist with adequate support systems that safeguard students’ well-being.
Moving forward, there is a growing call for the Nigerian Law School to review its disciplinary procedures and mental health policies, ensuring that students are not left vulnerable in moments of crisis. Advocates emphasize that proactive measures, such as counseling programs, awareness campaigns, and mentorship opportunities, are essential to prevent similar tragedies.
The heartbreaking death of Ayomiposi Ojajuni serves as a sobering reminder of the pressures inherent in professional education and the consequences of insufficient support for students. It underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in Nigerian academic institutions to protect student welfare, promote mental health, and foster an environment where aspiring professionals can pursue their goals safely and successfully.
