The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has announced its plans to Offer Comprehensive Waivers for extra-year students struggling with academic challenges as this initiative is designed to alleviate financial burdens and provide academic support, enabling students to focus on their studies and achieve success.
This initiative is as a result of recent alarming incident involving a 200-level student’s suicide attempt triggered by academic difficulties.
In a move to address the critical situation surrounding the affected student, Obafemi Awolowo University’s Senate Division convened a special Committee of Deans meeting, as revealed in an internal memo dated November 1, 2024, exclusively obtained by PUNCH Metro. The committee’s deliberations led to the establishment of comprehensive support mechanisms, demonstrating the university’s commitment to students’ academic well-being.
A memo signed by Deputy Registrar M.S. Oluwajoba revealed that a student, whose name was undisclosed, transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education and attempted suicide on October 16. This incident led the Faculty Dean to escalate the matter to higher authorities.
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 Faculty Boards of Examiners were urged to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes students’ well-being and academic success.
“Staff and Part Advisers should kindly cooperate in this regard.
“The above information supersedes the earlier circulated decision extract.” it added
A previous circular issued on October 17, 2024, stipulated that students with only one or two outstanding courses to complete their degree requirements, having previously attempted those courses, are eligible for special consideration.
A previous circular issued on October 17, 2024, stipulated that students with only one or two outstanding courses to complete their degree requirements, having previously attempted those courses, “should be considered to graduate on compassionate grounds provided such assistance SHALL NOT change the candidate’s class of degree.”
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the decision, stating it was a proactive measure to prevent further suicidal incidents.
According to Punch Newspaper , 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.” he added.
Eniola Jolaoso