At least six final-year nursing students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, have reportedly lost their lives in a fatal motor accident along Ilorin-Igbomoso Road.
The victims were said to be travelling to sit for their examinations in Ogbomoso in what was expected to be the concluding phase of their academic journey when the crash occurred.
The victims were all 500-level students in the institution’s Open and Distance Learning Bachelor of Nursing Science programme.
Sources within the university disclosed that the students, who had combined their professional careers as working nurses with academic commitments, were eager to complete their programme and formally qualify with the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.
Among the deceased was a student said to be heavily pregnant at the time of the accident, a development that had deepened the grief and emotional weight of the tragedy within the university community and among their colleagues.
Their bodies have since been deposited in a mortuary pending autopsy and further directives from relevant authorities.
The sudden loss had cast a sombre mood over the university community, particularly among classmates who had anticipated reuniting with the victims in examination halls.
Many were said to be struggling to come to terms with the devastating news, describing the incident as both shocking and heartbreaking.
Friends and colleagues recalled the deceased as dedicated professionals who balanced hospital duties, family responsibilities and the rigorous demands of academic advancement.
For many, the journey to obtain a nursing degree was a testament to their resilience and determination to improve their careers while continuing to serve in the healthcare sector.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology was yet to issue an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Similarly, authorities, including the Oyo State Police Command and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have not publicly clarified the cause of the crash or provided further information on possible casualties beyond the six students.
The incident has once again brought to the fore growing concerns over the spate of road accidents across Nigeria. Observers have repeatedly pointed to factors such as poor road conditions, reckless driving, inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations and vehicle unroadworthiness as contributing causes of frequent crashes on major highways.
