A summary of reports in the Nigerian media on incidents of suicide in 2021 shows that 11 tertiary institution students committed suicide last year.
Massmediang has been doing a yearly study on suicide incidents in Nigeria reported in the media. This study shows the trend of suicide cases since 2019 when the research began.
Facts show that 22 students committed suicide in Nigeria in 2019. This was a year that recorded very high suicide incidents in the country probably for as long as anyone could remember. Facts further show that 10 students committed suicide in 2020. This shows a drop from what happened the previous year. Among the students who committed suicide in 2020, seven were in tertiary institution while the remaining three were either in secondary school or preparing for WAEC exams.
Results of incidents in 2021 show that 11 students took their lives during the year.
Here is a list of students who committed suicide in 2021.
Names of Students Who Committed Suicide in Nigeria in 2021
1. Abdullahi Bello
Final year student of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State
Facts:
Story Title: Final year student commits suicide over ‘cheating girlfriend’
Victim’s Name: Abdullahi Bello
Marital Status: Single
Date: February 15
Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed Relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Jigawa
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A final year student of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State has committed suicide after accusing his girlfriend of cheating on him on Valentine’s Day.
The university’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Bello, told PREMIUM TIMES the incident occurred on Monday. He added that the vice chancellor, Abdulkareem Sabo, has ordered an investigation.
He said the deceased, Abdullahi Bashir, a 400-level student of Mathematics, died after ingesting an insecticide, Sniper, at his off campus apartment at Yalwawa quarters in Dutse.
Mr Bashir was pronounced dead at Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Dutse, the official added.
Source: Premium Times
2. Daniel Uchenna Nwafor
Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State (100 level)
Facts:
Story Title: First-year FUTO student commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Daniel Uchenna Nwafor
Marital Status: Single
Date: February 23
Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Imo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A first-year student of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State has apparently killed himself.
The body of Daniel Uchenna Nwafor of the Department of Chemistry was found on Tuesday dangling on a rope in his lodge at Umuchima in the Ihiagwa area of Owerri, the state capital.
Sources said that the 18-year-old recently returned to the lodge with his mother, who stayed with him for some days before leaving.
Two days after her departure, Nwafor killed himself, it was said.
Nwafor was said to be unwell and in pain.
Source: The Nationonline
3. Mba Daniel
300 level Biochemistry student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
Facts:
Story Title: 300 Level UNN Student Commits Suicide After His Phone Was Seized In Exam Hall
Victim’s Name: Mba Daniel
Marital Status: Single
Date: Friday 12
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Enugu
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 300 level Biochemistry student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Mba Daniel, was on Saturday, confirmed dead after committing suicide, VANTAGE NEWS reports.
Our correspondent gathered that the student apparently made different attempts to take his own life between Wednesday and Friday before he eventually succeeded in hanging himself.
VANTAGE NEWS learnt that his phone was seized by a lecturer on examination supervision duty after he was caught cheating with it while writing BCH 353 exam on Wednesday, 10th March….
Daniel eventually hung himself at the balcony in the second floor of the three storey building where he fell from the rope and landed on the floor, suffering a broken leg.
He was rushed by neighbours to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead in the early hours of Saturday.
Confirming the incident, the President of the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry Students, UNN chapter, Silas Ijaja, said, “the information reaching me through the closest person is that the guy attempted to kill himself with corrosive chemical, relaxer and strong ethanol he mixed and drank but it did not work. He then used rope to hang himself from the balcony of his room where he fell from and fractured his leg. He was rushed to the hospital and confirmed dead on Saturday.
Source: Vantage News
4. Arikekpar Lucky
200-level student of the department of History and Diplomacy at the Federal University Otuoke (FUO) Bayelsa State,
Facts:
Story Title: 200 level Otuoke University student commits suicide over academic failure
Victim’s Name: Arikekpar Lucky
Marital Status: Single
Date: Monday 22
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration due to academic challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Bayelsa
Victim’s State of Origin: Bayelsa
Story Summary:
A 200-level student of the department of History and Diplomacy at the Federal University Otuoke (FUO) Bayelsa State, Arikekpar Lucky, has committed suicide to reportedly escape being tagged as a failure in academics by members of his family.
The Guardian gathered that the deceased, a one-time aspirant of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Student Representative, Central Zone, took his life at the wee hours of Monday.
The 27-years-old student who hails from Otuakeme, Ogbia Local Government Area, hung himself with a rope tied to a ceiling fan after locking the door and windows, behind him.
Source: Guardian
5. Emmanuel Adedeji
200 level student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, in the department of Management and Accounting, Emmanuel Adedeji
Facts:
Story Title: 200 level OAU student commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Emmanuel Adedeji
Marital Status: Single
Date: Tuesday 20 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Osun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A part two student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, in the department of Management and Accounting, Emmanuel Adedeji, had reportedly committed suicide.
Emmanuel, it was said, left a suicide note after he took a poisonous substance which led to his death.
It was not immediately clear why Emmanuel took the decision, as some sources close to him gave different reasons.
A classmate of the deceased, who preferred anonymity, said Emmanuel suffered depression after a failed business deal.
But another source that commented on the matter said the deceased did not look like he was depressed when he was seen near the Conference Centre of the university on Monday.
Source: Punch
6. Elijah Jude Anuoluwapo
400 level student of the University of Ilorin
Facts:
Story Title: 400 level Unilorin student commits suicide after two failed attempts
Victim’s Name: Elijah Jude Anuoluwapo
Marital Status: Single
Date: Thursday, 26
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Illicit drug substance
Reason: Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Kwara
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A student of the University of Ilorin identified as Elijah Jude Anuoluwapo, has reportedly committed suicide early Thursday morning by taking illicit drug substances.
The Tribune Online gathered that the deceased, popularly known as Jude, died in the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), where he was rushed by his colleagues for medical attention.
It was gathered that Jude had unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide on two occasions.
Source: Tribune online
7. Oshokoya Deborah Ayomikun
Fresh graduate of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ogun State
Facts:
Story Title: TASUED fresh graduate allegedly commits suicide over possible carryover
Victim’s Name: Oshokoya Deborah Ayomikun
Marital Status: Single
Date: Wednesday, 11
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Academic challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Ogun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A fresh graduate of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ogun State, Oshokoya Deborah Ayomikun, has allegedly committed suicide.
The Adult Education graduate who recently finished her final year exams, allegedly died after taking poisonous substance suspected to be sniper.
Though details of the incident was still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that that she allegedly took her own life because of a possible extra year due to carryover in one of her final year courses.
TASUED SUG President, Comr Rabiu Sodiq, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, August 11, advised students against taking such drastic action no matter the challenges life throws their ways.
Source: Lindaikejiblog
8. David gbonna
200-Level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State
Facts:
Story Title: UNIZIK student commits suicide over alleged hike in school fees
Victim’s Name: David Ogbonna
Marital Status: Single
Date: Sunday, 22 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Anambra
Victim’s State of Origin: Abia
Story Summary:
A 200-Level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, has reportedly committed suicide over an alleged hike in school fees.
The deceased, a native of the Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, was said to be studying Industrial Physics.
His body was reportedly found dangling inside one of the hostel blocks on campus.
A source who preferred anonymity said, “The deceased locked himself inside the room for days and was sobbing over his inability to pay the new regime of school fees introduced by the management,” adding, “when the door was broken, he was seen dangling with a rope around his neck.”
Another source, who described the deceased as a quiet and calm student, said he never showed any signs of depression before the incident.
Source: Punch
9. Solomon Oboh
Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, (Auchi Poly), Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State
Facts:
Story Title: Auchi Poly freshman commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Solomon Oboh
Marital Status: Single
Date: Friday, 10
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Edo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 23 years old student of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, (Auchi Poly), Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, identified as Solomon Oboh, has committed suicide shortly after classes on Friday.
The spokesperson of the school, Mustapha Oshiobugie, who confirmed the incident, said he is yet to get the details.
Oboh, who was a National Diploma, ND, I student of Public Administration, was reportedly found dangling in his room on Friday night.
Source: Vanguard
10. Olivia James
An undergraduate student of Library and Information Science (LIS) Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State
Facts:
Story Title: Student allegedly commits suicide after her boyfriend left her
Victim’s Name: Olivia James
Marital Status: Single
Date: Monday 11 (reported),
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Ebonyi
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
An undergraduate student of Library and Information Science (LIS) Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State, has reportedly committed suicide over heartbreak.
Olivia James, who combines her cake and small chops business with schooling, is said to have consumed sniper because her boyfriend left her days after she celebrated her birthday.
She was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival, according to reports shared online by her fellow students.
Source: Lindaikejiblog
11. Kenneth
A 100 level Physiology student of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli, Anambra State.
Facts:
Story Title: 100 Level Anambra University Student Commits Suicide Over Stress
Victim’s Name: Kenneth
Marital Status: Single
Date: Wednesday 14
Gender: Male
Age: Not Given
Method: Set self ablaze
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Anambra
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 100 level Physiology student of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli, Anambra State, simply identified as Kenneth committed suicide at the Kosi lodge today, October 13.
According to reports, the deceased reportedly set himself ablaze at the back of the hostel building before he was found by his lodge mates.
It was also gathered that prior to the incident, the deceased had allegedly told his cousin that he wanted to give up the ghost the previous day due to stress. Source: Niyitabiti
How the study was done
Massmediang adopted the data journalism technique in reporting the trend of suicides in 2020. Suicide reports in the media were compiled and published on a monthly basis, from January to December 2021. These media reports were then compiled and analysed to come up with the final report on total suicide incidents throughout the year.
The complete list of suicide victims in various states of the country was also recorded in the study. Most of the incidents were cross-checked in both social and mainstream media to further measure authenticity of the incidents. The doubtful incidents which appeared in just one or two social media platforms were not recorded.