A final-year Building Technology student of Covenant University, Toluwase Jesutunmise, has died after collapsing during a football training session on campus in Ogun State.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, April 6, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Timothy Anake.
The statement explained that Jesutunmise had been actively involved in the training session before stepping aside due to complaints of leg pain and exhaustion.
Shortly afterward, fellow players noticed that he was having difficulty breathing.
He was immediately rushed to the university’s medical centre emergency unit, located directly opposite the football field.
However, he reportedly stopped breathing before arriving at the facility.
The statement partly read, “On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Covenant University community experienced the unfortunate loss of one of our precious students.
Jesutunmise, a diligent and vibrant student, participated in a student football training session on campus.
“He stepped out of the game to rest after he was said to have complained of leg pains and being tired. In a short while, his football mates observed that he was gasping for breath, and they responded swiftly by taking him to the medical centre’s emergency unit, which was directly opposite the playing field. However, he had stopped breathing by the time he arrived at the facility.”
Professor Anake further stated that although the student showed no signs of life upon arrival, medical personnel immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an automated external defibrillator, but all efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.
Jesutunmise was subsequently declared clinically dead, with preliminary indications suggesting a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
The incident sparked reactions on social media, where some students questioned the adequacy of emergency response at the medical centre. One X user, @kamiikunre, wrote, “This oxygen has been an issue since 2017 KILODEEEEEE!!!! they never have! that medical center is just for decoration.”
In response, the vice-chancellor dismissed claims of negligence, maintaining that the medical team acted promptly and that all required emergency equipment was available and effectively utilized.
“We wish to confirm that there was no form of negligence in the response of the medical personnel or a shortage of any required equipment for the treatment.
“The management of the university, led by the vice-chancellor, was at the medical centre from the time of the unfortunate event until the parents arrived and remained with the family until he was laid to rest,” the statement added.
The university extended its condolences to the bereaved family, describing the student’s death as a significant loss to the institution and the wider society.
