Grief in Ikorodu as 19-Year-Old Ends Life Over UTME Score, Receives Admission Posthumously

 

A wave of sorrow swept through the Odogunyan community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Monday, following the tragic death of 19-year-old Opesusi Faith Timilehin. The young woman, reportedly devastated by her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score, resorted to consuming a poisonous substance known as "Push Out" rodenticide.

Timilehin, who hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State, had been staying with her elder sibling in Ikorodu while preparing for the highly anticipated JAMB-organised UTME. According to sources close to the family, she had dreams of studying microbiology, a goal she had pursued diligently even after an earlier attempt in the previous academic session.

Despite being described by neighbors as gentle, humble, and deeply focused, the young woman struggled to cope with the disappointment of her 2025 UTME result, which totaled 190. Friends and relatives said this year's score was lower than what she achieved in her previous attempt, leaving her emotionally shattered.

“She kept saying her result last year was better. She was hoping for a big improvement so she could get into her preferred university,” a close friend revealed during a phone interview. "She felt like she had let everyone down, especially herself."

Shockingly, a tragic twist followed just minutes after her passing. As her lifeless body was being confirmed at Kolak Hospital in Odogunyan, an admission notification landed in her Gmail inbox. The message, sent by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), offered her a provisional place in a tertiary institution—something she had long waited for.

The irony was painful. A glimmer of hope arrived when it was far too late. By the time the admission email was read, Timilehin was no longer alive to receive the news.

Her devastated parents, upon receiving word of the incident, made the journey from Abeokuta to Ikorodu with heavy hearts. They reportedly retrieved her remains to take back home for burial. Locals, deeply angered by the turn of events, directed their fury at the perceived mass failure experienced by many candidates in this year’s examination cycle. They accused JAMB of crushing the dreams of countless young Nigerians, with Timilehin’s case becoming a tragic symbol of a broken system.

“She had so much potential. To think she made that decision only to be granted admission shortly after is haunting,” one resident lamented. “We need to start prioritizing the mental well-being of our youth.”

Mental health professionals have often warned of the immense pressure Nigerian students face when preparing for national examinations. With limited slots available in federal universities and intense competition, many students, particularly those without strong support systems, are pushed to emotional breaking points.

Timilehin's death has reignited public debate about the fairness and transparency of JAMB's scoring system, as well as the psychological toll it imposes on candidates. While authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, calls are growing for greater emotional support mechanisms for students and reforms to ensure the examination process does not leave more young people feeling hopeless and defeated.

The Odogunyan community continues to mourn. Candles flickered outside the residence where Timilehin last lived, as neighbors shared memories of a bright girl whose future was unfairly cut short. Conversations have turned into calls for change, urging institutions to do more than simply assess academic merit—they must also safeguard the dreams and emotional well-being of Nigeria’s youth.