A senior professor at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has tragically passed away after collapsing during a departmental meeting on March 6, sparking concerns about the health and working conditions of Nigerian academics.

According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, colleagues noticed the professor was breathing “abnormally” before he was rushed to the University Health and Medical Centre. Despite prompt medical attention, he was later referred to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where he was pronounced dead.

This sudden death has reignited debates about the immense pressure faced by university lecturers, who often endure excessive workloads, delayed salaries, and inadequate healthcare. Many are questioning whether Nigeria’s educational institutions are doing enough to support the well-being of their staff, particularly senior academics who shoulder heavy administrative and research responsibilities.

The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Adebayo Bamire, has since led a condolence visit to the bereaved family. However, critics argue that mere condolences are not enough, demanding systemic reforms to improve healthcare access and working conditions for educators.

As tributes pour in for the late professor, his death serves as a grim reminder of the unspoken struggles within Nigeria’s academic community—where dedication to education sometimes comes at the cost of life itself.