By Juliet Umeh
Within the space of one week, Osun State University, UNIOSUN, has found itself grappling with two disturbing incidents that have sparked outrage and renewed questions about the safety and welfare of students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
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The first was an alleged midnight invasion of private student hostels by military recruits, during which students claimed they were assaulted, female students were sexually harassed, properties vandalised and mobile phones stolen.
Days earlier, the university community was mourning the death of a final-year criminology student, Grace Marvellous Osunlakin, whose death triggered protests over healthcare access after she reportedly could not receive prompt medical attention during the Oro festival movement restrictions in Ifetedo. Although the two incidents are unrelated, together they paint a troubling picture of the risks confronting students beyond the lecture halls, from insecurity and abuse to healthcare limitations and community restrictions.
