Four students from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka have died following a party held to celebrate the conclusion of their final examinations. The incident took place in the south eastern town of Nsukka, where the students reportedly fell ill after consuming alcoholic beverages at the gathering. Two men and two women were among the fatalities, though the official cause of death has not yet been confirmed by medical authorities.
Police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe stated that the group had consumed alcohol at the party before becoming unwell. The University of Nigeria Nsukka has declared a three day period of mourning in response to the tragedy. During this time, all academic and social activities on the campus will be suspended as the community comes together to grieve.
The university Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, explained that the administration received a distress call at 22:00 on Wednesday. Security personnel were immediately dispatched to the location, a house party at Praise Lodge, which is situated outside the campus in the Hilltop area of Nsukka. He described the preliminary findings as pointing toward alleged alcohol abuse or the use of drug paraphernalia, but noted that the university was not yet conclusive on the exact cause.
Professor Ortuanya described the deaths as tragic and painful for the entire university community. He emphasized that the institution mourns alongside the families and parents who had invested years in the education of the students. In light of the event, he announced a temporary ban on sign out celebrations, which are traditional parties held by final year students to mark the completion of their studies.
These celebrations typically involve dancing, photography, and friends signing one another's shirts. The Vice Chancellor urged the student body to use the upcoming graduation period as a time for reflection on their university experience and preparation for life beyond the campus. The university is currently collaborating with security agencies to determine the precise cause of the deaths.
Police have launched a formal investigation into the incident. Investigators recovered alcoholic drinks from the scene and transported the bodies to a mortuary for autopsies. The deaths have highlighted growing concerns regarding the safety of alcoholic beverages consumed in Nigeria. This tragedy occurs amid a broader national crackdown on fake and adulterated drinks.
In September, a similar outbreak saw dozens of people fall ill after consuming locally made alcoholic drinks and herbal mixtures in communities across Ondo State in south west Nigeria. In the Araromi Obu area alone, more than 11 people died and over 50 others were hospitalized. Investigations revealed that some of the contaminated drinks contained methanol, a toxic form of alcohol known to cause blindness and death.
Nigeria's food and drug regulator, Nafdac, reported more than 150 cases of illness linked to unsafe products, including 48 confirmed deaths. More than 80 people required hospitalization, and five lost their sight. The regulator has been conducting raids across the country, targeting facilities suspected of producing unsafe alcoholic drinks, food, and beverages. Campaigners continue to warn that the sale of adulterated products poses a serious threat to public health in the nation.
