100-Level Student’s Death: UNIZIK Speaks Fire,Suspends Medical Workers, Orders Sack of Hostel Supervisor
Unizik gate
The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has announced the immediate suspension of the doctors, nurses, and security personnel who were on duty at the University Medical Centre on the day Isabella Chioma Ajana,a 100-level Law student was brought in for treatment, which ultimately led to her death.
The suspension, effective immediately, will last for an initial period of three months, pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the incident.
In addition, the university has directed the management of Elmada Hostel,a jointly owned but privately managed facility located on campus, where Isabella resided to immediately dismiss the hostel supervisor on duty at the time of the incident. The supervisor allegedly refused to release a spare key to Isabella’s room despite repeated pleas, a delay that reportedly played a critical role in the chain of events leading to her untimely death.
These disciplinary measures follow the tragic death of Miss Isabella Chioma Ajana, which has sparked widespread outrage and public condemnation.
Isabella’s death, which occurred last month, has been linked to Elmada Hostel’s controversial spare key policy. Earlier reports indicate that the diabetic student misplaced her room key and urgently requested access to her medication,specifically, her insulin which was locked inside. Despite informing the hostel management of her medical condition, the supervisor allegedly insisted that Isabella and her two roommates each pay ₦40,000 (₦120,000 total) before the spare key could be released, a policy many students have long decried as exploitative and inhumane.
Despite her repeated appeals and explanations of the life-threatening nature of her condition, she was reportedly denied access to her medication for three consecutive days. Her health rapidly deteriorated.
On the third day, Isabella collapsed while still pleading for the key. She was rushed to the University Medical Centre, where she fell into hypoglycemic shock. She tragically passed away on a Wednesday morning just days before her call to the Law Students’ Bar.
The incident triggered a wave of outrage on social media and within the academic community, prompting the university to set up a high-level committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
The committee, chaired by Professor Mike Oddih, was given one week to submit its findings.
Providing an update on the matter six weeks later, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi, in a statement released over the weekend, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to accountability.
She reiterated the immediate suspension of the university medical staff and security personnel on duty the day Isabella was brought in.
The suspension, she confirmed, will last for an initial three-month period, subject to the outcome of the investigation.
She also emphasized that the university has directed Elmada Hostel to sack the supervisor responsible, citing the supervisor’s alleged failure to release the spare key despite urgent medical need—a failure that critically contributed to Isabella’s death.
Professor Arinze-Umobi added that the university will reassess its relationship with the hostel and warned that all private hostels operating on campus must adhere strictly to international best practices in student accommodation and welfare.
“I wish to assure the university community and the general public that we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of care and safety for our students, in line with my vision of feeling the pulse of the students and staff and finding solutions,” she stated.
While extending her condolences to Isabella’s family and friends, the Acting Vice-Chancellor also gave assurances that strong preventive measures are being implemented to avoid a recurrence of such a tragedy.
