The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, is currently in turmoil, reeling from two major crises in rapid succession. The indefinite shutdown of its medical school following a strike action, and the tragic killing of a graduating student during a sign-out celebration. The events, occurring just days apart, have cast a dark cloud over the institution and its community.
Medical Lecturers Down Tools Over Unpaid Arrears
On Friday, August 1, 2025, academic activities at LAUTECH’s Medical School came to a complete halt as members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA), LAUTECH Chapter, commenced an indefinite strike.
The decision was formally communicated in a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor, signed by Prof. M.A. Olamoyegun (Acting Chairman) and Dr. A.O. Alabi (Acting Secretary). NAMDA cited the university’s failure to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the non-payment of accrued arrears dating back to January 2025 as the major reasons for the industrial action.
Despite issuing a 14-day ultimatum and multiple appeals, the association noted that the university management failed to respond adequately. The final trigger, according to NAMDA, was the July 2025 salary, which was paid without incorporating the CONMESS adjustment. A move the lecturers interpreted as a deliberate disregard for their plight.
The strike affects all academic responsibilities including lectures, tutorials, examinations, thesis supervision, teaching ward rounds, and committee duties across the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, and Clinical Sciences.
However, the association clarified that their action targets only the university’s academic administration, and clinical operations at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital remain unaffected.
NAMDA expressed deep frustration over what it described as “continued neglect and lack of satisfactory responsiveness” from the university authorities, despite the lecturers’ restraint and loyalty over the past year.
Student Shot Dead During Graduation Celebration
While the university was still grappling with the academic shutdown, it was hit by a more devastating blow on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, when a graduating student, Babalola Marvelous Ishola, was shot dead during a sign-out celebration.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, Babalola’s lifeless body was found by the roadside at around 5:38 p.m. His identity was confirmed by security operatives who responded promptly to a distress report about a corpse lying unattended.
Renowned counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama also reported the incident via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, citing credible sources.
The Dean of Student Affairs at LAUTECH has since confirmed that Babalola was a bonafide student of the institution. His body has been deposited at the LAUTECH University Teaching Hospital morgue.
Following the incident, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Monitoring Unit launched a sting operation. The operation resulted in the arrest of sixteen suspects believed to be connected to the shooting. Police authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
Tension and Uncertainty Grip the Campus
As the university community mourns the loss of a young life and contends with academic paralysis in the medical faculty, tension continues to mount on campus. Students have expressed fear, confusion, and dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
So far, the university management and state authorities have not issued comprehensive public statements addressing the two incidents. Stakeholders, including students, parents, and professional bodies, are now calling for urgent intervention, justice, and a restoration of normalcy.
For LAUTECH — a prestigious institution known for innovation and excellence — these recent events mark a troubling chapter that calls for decisive leadership, transparent investigations, and renewed commitment to staff and student welfare.