The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has confirmed the tragic death of Miss Isabella Ajana, a 100-level student in the Faculty of Law, and announced that it has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise.

Miss Ajana, a 19-year-old student reportedly managing Type 1 Diabetes, died on Friday, July 4, 2025, days after being admitted to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital. Her passing has sent shockwaves through the university community and sparked public outcry over the alleged negligence that may have contributed to her death.

The incident came just four days after another student of the university, Tochi, a 300-level Microbiology student, collapsed and died while playing football, further intensifying concerns over student welfare and emergency medical response systems within the institution.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts from fellow students and hostel residents, the tragic chain of events began on the evening of Friday, June 27. Miss Ajana and her roommates were reportedly locked out of their room at Emalda Hostel—a privately managed hostel near the university campus after accidentally leaving their key inside. Efforts to reach hostel authorities for access to a spare key proved futile, as the key custodian was reportedly out of the state at the time.

One resident, who requested anonymity, said the situation worsened as the weekend progressed due to Ajana’s underlying medical condition.

“By Sunday night, her health began to deteriorate because her insulin and other essential medication were locked inside the room,” the source said. “Despite efforts to manage her condition, her situation grew critical.”

It wasn’t until the morning of Monday, June 30, that access to the room was finally granted and her medication retrieved. However, by that time, her condition had worsened significantly.

Ajana was initially taken to the UNIZIK Medical Centre, but was referred to the teaching hospital due to the severity of her condition. She was admitted and treated for several days, showing signs of improvement by Thursday. Sadly, she passed away the following day, Friday, July 4.

In a time of profound sorrow, outrage has emerged within the student community over reports that hostel authorities allegedly demanded as much as ₦40,000 before releasing the spare key needed to access her medication. While these claims remain unverified, they have fueled calls for justice and a thorough probe into the role played by the hostel’s management.

The university, however, has denied these allegations, urging calm as investigations continue.

In a press statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Director of Information, Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Njelita Louis, the university confirmed the death and outlined steps being taken to ascertain what transpired.

“The attention of the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been drawn to the distressing incident involving Miss Isabella Ajana, a 100-level student in the Faculty of Law,” the statement read.

“It is pertinent to inform all concerned at this moment and to assure the university community and the public that the university is actively working to get to the root of this unfortunate situation. Currently, there is an ongoing investigation into the circumstances that led to the demise of our dear student.”

The statement emphasized that the university is committed to full transparency and will provide updates as the investigation progresses. The school also announced it would be reviewing the management practices and student welfare policies at Emalda Hostel.

“The University is beaming its searchlight on the operation, management, security and welfare of students living at Emalda, a privately owned and managed hostel within the University’s vicinity,” the statement added.

The news of Ajana’s death has sparked a wave of sorrow across the university, with many students expressing frustration at what they describe as systemic neglect of student health and safety.

Student groups and civil society organisations have also called for independent investigations into the death and the broader issue of private hostel regulation in and around Nigerian universities.

Her death, coupled with the recent passing of the 300-level Microbiology student, has prompted renewed demands for improved medical facilities, emergency protocols, and stricter regulation of private accommodation facilities within the UNIZIK community.