February 24, 2026 — News | SUNTV Global
Widespread anger and grief have erupted following the tragic death of six distance learning nursing students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology who were killed in a fatal road accident while travelling for their examinations.
According to reports, the students were heading to Ogbomosho when the crash occurred, killing them instantly and throwing families, colleagues, and the academic community into deep mourning.
Outrage Over Travel Requirements
The incident has triggered intense criticism of the university’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) structure, with students, parents, and civil society groups describing the tragedy as preventable.
Many critics argue that the programme forces students to undertake long, risky journeys across states simply to sit for examinations — a system they say has repeatedly exposed learners to danger.
“This is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” a student representative told SUNTV Global. “How many more lives must be lost before authorities make changes?”
Parents also expressed frustration, insisting that education should never come at the cost of student safety.
“Our children struggle for years, endure stress and financial hardship, only to risk their lives on highways just to write exams,” one concerned parent lamented.
Comparisons With Other Universities
Stakeholders have drawn comparisons with Ahmadu Bello University, whose distance learning system operates multiple examination centres nationwide.
Observers note that although LAUTECH’s programme predates ABU’s, it has yet to decentralise its exam centres, forcing students to travel repeatedly.
“Why are students still crossing states every semester when other institutions have solved this problem?” a concerned stakeholder questioned.
Nursing Students Most Affected
Sources say nursing students have been particularly impacted due to mandatory physical exam attendance requirements each semester.
Critics describe a disturbing pattern of accidents involving students travelling to exam venues, calling for urgent reforms.
“Every semester, students travel. Every semester, accidents are reported. This must stop,” an advocacy group stated.
Allegations of Administrative Challenges
Beyond the fatal crash, some students have also raised serious concerns about the management of the ODL nursing programme.
Several anonymous testimonies cited repeated resit examinations, missing scripts, additional fees, and alleged administrative inefficiencies.
One student told SUNTV Global:
“From 200 level to 500 level, we kept travelling across the country. Some exams were repeated because scripts went missing. We were asked to pay again to rewrite papers.”
The student also described emotional and health struggles linked to the programme, claiming many participants now feel depressed and financially strained.
Calls for Immediate Reform
Advocacy groups and stakeholders are now demanding urgent structural changes, including:
- Establishment of state-based exam centres
- Improved digital examination systems
- Stronger student safety policies
They insist that beyond condolences, concrete action must be taken to prevent future tragedies.
As of the time of this report, the university management had not issued a comprehensive official response addressing the growing concerns.
Meanwhile, the deaths continue to fuel nationwide debate about student welfare, institutional accountability, and the urgent need to modernise distance learning systems in Nigeria.
