Outrage at UNIZIK as Authorities Suspend Medical Staff and Hostel Supervisor Following Student’s Death

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, have suspended doctors, nurses, and security personnel on duty at the institution’s medical centre following the tragic death of a 100-level Law student, Miss Isabella Ajana. The action was disclosed in a statement signed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, and made available to journalists on Sunday.

Recall that Isabella, a diabetic patient, reportedly died on July 8 after being denied urgent access to her insulin medication due to an alleged financial demand by her hostel manager. The deceased, who resided in Elmada Hostel, was said to have collapsed after she and her roommates lost their room key, which had her life-saving insulin inside.

In their desperation to retrieve the medication, Isabella’s roommates approached the hostel supervisor, identified as “Madam Bright,” to request the spare key. However, according to multiple accounts, the supervisor allegedly insisted that they must pay ₦120,000 ₦40,000 each before she could release the key, citing a so-called hostel policy.

Despite repeated explanations about the urgency of Isabella’s medical condition, their appeals were ignored. Her health worsened, and she was eventually rushed to the university’s medical centre, where she was confirmed dead. The development sparked outrage across campus and social media, prompting the university authorities to set up a committee of inquiry.

The panel, chaired by Prof. Mike Oddih, was tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and to submit its findings within one week. Six weeks later, the committee’s report was submitted to the university management, leading to immediate disciplinary action.

In her statement, Prof. Arinze-Umobi announced the suspension of the doctors, nurses, and security personnel on duty at the medical centre the day Isabella died. The suspension, she said, would last three months pending the conclusion of further investigations.

Additionally, the Vice-Chancellor directed the management of Elmada Hostel, a privately managed but jointly owned facility within the university premises, to dismiss the supervisor who withheld the spare key from Isabella’s roommates. She stressed that the university would review its relationship with the hostel and ensure international best practices in student accommodation.

The statement partly read: “Following the submission of the investigation committee’s report into the unfortunate death of Miss Isabella Chioma Ajana, I hereby suspend the doctors, nurses, and security personnel on duty at the University’s Medical Centre on the day of the incident for three months in the first instance. The university demands that the management of Elmada Hostel immediately sack the supervisor on duty at the time of the incident.”

Meanwhile, The Nigeria Education News conducted phone call interviews with some students of the institution to gather their reactions. Many of them expressed mixed feelings, praising the Vice-Chancellor’s decisive action while demanding stronger reforms to prevent similar tragedies.

Prosper, a 200-level student of Political Science, said: “The suspension is a good step, but it should not end there. The university must ensure that the medical centre is adequately equipped and staffed with personnel who understand that students’ lives come first.”

Another student, Fortune, from the Faculty of Law, remarked: “What happened to Isabella is heartbreaking. We lost a promising young student because of negligence and greed. Hostel policies should never endanger lives, and I hope the university enforces stricter monitoring of these privately managed hostels.”

Similarly, Oyinyechi, a 300-level student of Accounting, told The Nigeria Education News: “This decision shows that management is beginning to listen to students. But beyond suspension, there should be clear reforms in how emergencies are handled both in hostels and in the medical centre.”

The Acting Vice-Chancellor concluded by assuring the university community and the public that her administration remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of students. She extended her condolences to Isabella’s family and promised that such incidents would not be allowed to reoccur.