OAU Professor Collapses During Meeting, Dies on Way to Hospital

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Professor Jimoh Olanipekun, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy.

According to a statement by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Professor Olanipekun fell ill during a departmental meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The statement reads, “during a departmental meeting this morning (Wednesday, 5th day of March 2025), it was noticed by his colleagues that he was breathing ‘abnormally’ and was immediately rushed to the University Health and Medical Centre.”

Upon examination by the medical team, Professor Olanipekun was referred to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where he was pronounced dead.

The Vice Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Bamire, led a condolence visit to the deceased’s family, expressing “shock and disbelief that such a brilliant scholar could die so suddenly in the line of duty.”

He consoled the family, saying, “we should know that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away as He pleases… we should take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life of positive impact on those who were fortunate to come across him.”

Professor Bamire prayed that God would grant the family, the Department of Philosophy, the Faculty of Arts, and the entire university community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.