The administration of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has stated that it is willing to help extra-year students who are having difficulty with their studies by taking into consideration a waiver for them.
Following academic difficulties, a 200-level student recently attempted suicide, prompting the action.
On Wednesday, an exclusive internal memo was obtained from the university’s Senate Division dated November 1, 2024.
The memo revealed that a special Committee of Deans meeting was convened to address the case of the affected student and thereafter came up with compassionate measures.
The memo was titled, “Decision Extract: Re: Special Meeting of Committee of Deans held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,” and directed to all deans.
It partly read, “The Dean, Faculty of Education reported a case of a suicide attempt by a Part II student who transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. After due deliberation on the matter, the Committee decided that: Members of staff should continue as usual to offer support to our students.
“The departmental and the Faculty Boards of Examiners are advised and encouraged to provide an enabling environment for students’ support.
“Staff and Part Advisers should kindly cooperate in this regard.
“The above information supersedes the earlier circulated decision extract.”
An earlier circular from the office, dated October 17, 2024, had said any student who had only one or two courses to pass to graduate, having attempted those courses in the previous semesters, “should be considered to graduate on compassionate grounds provided such assistance SHALL NOT change the candidate’s class of degree.”
Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university’s public relations officer, confirmed the decision when contacted, stating that it was made to avoid more suicide attempts.
In an interview on Wednesday, the varsity spokesperson said, “We want to reduce to the barest minimum the commission of suicide due to academic stress or rigour especially by those in the final year who are repeating one or two courses, and they are being delayed by that.
“So, the human face there is, given the situation and circumstance of the country, we should just let them go. It doesn’t cost the university anything, and so that it will not be that somebody commits suicide because of extra academic years.”
However, considering the delicate nature of the case, it was learnt from a top official that the decision “is not official” but is instead “in the wisdom of the university.”
