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LASUSTECH STUDENT FALLS TO DEATH FROM HOSTEL BALCONY, STUDENTS BLAME SCHOOL NEGLIGENCE

A 100-level mathematics student of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Emmanuel Nweke, died at the weekend after falling off the balcony of his hostel in a private building in Ikorodu. The incident occurred at about 4pm at Lasunwon First Gate, a student-populated area. According to eyewitnesses, Nweke stepped onto the first-floor balcony for fresh air following a prolonged power failure, leaned on the railing, lost balance, and fell, hitting his head on the ground. He died before his colleagues could rush him to the nearby general hospital. The entire building was shut down to prevent further incidents, and the landlord was taken into custody at the Ikorodu Divisional Police. Sadiq Kiakia, a LASUSTECH student and Vice Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC), accused the school of negligence for failing to provide accommodation. “Power supply in the area has been a major issue since the beginning of the year, with barely two hours of electricity available daily. The building is already deteriorating, and he tragically passed away before we could get him to the hospital,” Kiakia said. “We urgently need proper accommodation within the school. If there was on-campus housing, Nweke wouldn’t have been staying in that building. Over 20 students lived there, and he had just paid his rent about two weeks ago. We need the school authorities to take immediate action,” he added. A statement jointly signed by NANS JCC Lagos Chairman Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri and Public Relations Officer Ridwan Ajayi condemned the school management and the state government for their negligence. “It is deeply concerning that LASUSTECH and the Lagos State Government have failed to provide sufficient on-campus hostel accommodation, forcing students to resort to unsafe and overpriced off-campus options,” the statement said. The students demanded a comprehensive structural audit of all off-campus hostels, immediate action against landlords and hostel operators violating building regulations, justice for Nweke, and compensation and support for his family. LASUSTECH Dean of Student Affairs Ademola Aderogba confirmed the incident and said the management is “on top of the situation.” He explained that the lack of student accommodation is beyond the school’s control but assured that the government is already working on a solution.