The management of Covenant University has confirmed the death of a 500-level student, Toluwase Emmanuel, following a medical emergency during a football training session on campus.
The institution disclosed this in a statement signed by its Vice-Chancellor, Timothy A. Anake, on Wednesday, clarifying circumstances surrounding the incident amid circulating allegations of negligence.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Monday, April 6, 2026, when the student participated in a football training session before stepping out due to fatigue and leg pain.
“In a short while, his football mates observed that he was gasping for breath, and they responded swiftly by taking him to the Medical Centre’s emergency unit, which was directly opposite the playing field. However, he had stopped breathing by the time he arrived at the facility,” the statement read.
The university said medical personnel immediately initiated emergency procedures upon his arrival.
“Though he was brought in dead, the doctors responded immediately by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an automated external defibrillator (AED). However, all efforts to resuscitate Jesutunmise were unsuccessful,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
The institution added that the student was later “certified clinically dead due to prior undisclosed heart condition.”
Responding to allegations circulating on social media that the medical centre failed to provide adequate care, including claims that oxygen was not administered, the university denied any form of negligence.
“We wish to confirm that there was no form of negligence in the response of the medical personnel or a shortage of any required equipment for the treatment,” the statement added.
The management noted that senior officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, were present at the medical centre from the time of the incident until the arrival of the deceased’s family.
“The management of the University… remained with the family until he was laid to rest,” it stated.
The institution described the late student as “a diligent and vibrant” member of the university community and extended condolences to his family.
“The entire Covenant University community extends our deepest condolences to the family for this loss. This is also a loss for the University and the entire society,” the statement added.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some users alleging that the student died due to inadequate emergency response at the university’s medical centre.
Claims circulating online suggested that the student suffered respiratory distress and did not receive critical support such as oxygen, with some alleging that prayers were offered instead of immediate medical intervention.
However, the university has maintained that proper emergency protocols were followed and that there was no equipment failure or negligence in handling the situation.