The Covenant University has denied allegations of negligence in the death of Toluwase Jesutunmise Emmanuel, a 500-level student of Building Technology in the institution.
Earlier, social media was awash with claims that there was no oxygen supply at its medical centre and that staff resorted to prayers instead of providing urgent medical attention to the victim.
The student reportedly collapsed during a football training session on campus on Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Timothy Anake, the institution’s vice-chancellor, said the student had stepped out of the game after complaining of leg pain and fatigue before his condition worsened.
Anake said the student was observed gasping for breath shortly after and was immediately rushed by his colleagues to the university’s medical centre, located opposite the playing field.
He said that although the student was brought in unresponsive, medical personnel promptly commenced emergency procedures.
“Though he was brought in without signs of life, the doctors responded immediately by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an automated external defibrillator (AED). However, all efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful,” the statement reads.
The vice-chancellor said the student was subsequently certified dead, attributing the cause to a previously undisclosed heart condition.
He dismissed claims of negligence, insisting that there was no shortage of medical equipment or delay in response by health personnel.
“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,” he said.
Anake also refuted allegations that prayers were prioritised over medical care, maintaining that appropriate emergency protocols were followed.
He added that the university management, led by the vice-chancellor, remained at the medical centre from the time of the incident until the arrival of the student’s parents and stayed with the family through the burial.
The university expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the student as diligent and vibrant, and noting that his death is a loss to both the institution and society.
