The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is in mourning following the deaths of four students who fell ill after attending a party to celebrate the end of their final examinations. The tragedy has cast a pall over the campus and raised fresh concerns about the safety of alcoholic beverages in the country.
Deaths prompt three days of mourning
The university has declared three days of mourning, during which all academic and social activities will be suspended. Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ortuanya expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing the incident as "tragic and painful."
According to police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe, the two male and two female students reportedly became ill after consuming alcoholic drinks at the party. The exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed, and authorities are awaiting autopsy results.
"The preliminary investigation and interim report point to alleged alcohol abuse or drug paraphernalia and things like that. But we are not conclusive on those matters," Professor Ortuanya said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university received a distress call at 10 pm on Wednesday and immediately dispatched security personnel to a house party at Praise Lodge, located outside the campus in Nsukka's Hilltop area.
Ban on sign-out celebrations
In the wake of the tragedy, the university has banned sign-out celebrations, a common tradition among final-year students to mark the completion of their studies. These events typically involve parties, dancing, photographs, and friends signing each other's shirts.
Professor Ortuanya urged students to use graduation as a time for reflection on their university experience and preparation for life beyond campus. "As a community, we mourn, not just alone, we mourn with the families, the parents that have suffered these years to train the men and women in their studies," he said.
The university is collaborating with security agencies to determine the circumstances that led to the deaths. Police have launched their own investigation, recovering alcoholic drinks from the scene and taking the bodies to a mortuary for autopsies.
Wider concerns over unsafe alcohol
The incident comes amid a broader crackdown on fake and adulterated alcoholic drinks in Nigeria. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) has been conducting raids on suspected producers of unsafe food and beverages.
In September, dozens of people fell ill after consuming locally made alcoholic drinks and herbal mixtures in communities across Ondo State, south-west Nigeria. More than 11 people died in the Araromi-Obu area, while over 50 others were hospitalised. Investigations revealed that some of the drinks had been contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic form of alcohol that can cause blindness and death.
Nafdac reported more than 150 cases, including 48 confirmed deaths, over 80 hospitalisations, and five people who lost their sight.
Nigeria has long struggled with the sale of unsafe and adulterated products, which campaigners warn pose a serious threat to public health. The latest tragedy at UNN underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation and public awareness to prevent further loss of life.
