Tears As Unizik Student Loses Her Life Due To Hostel Negligence.
By Deborah Emenike
A student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, identified as Chioma Ajaana, a 100-level student of the Department of Law, has lost her life today due to alleged negligence and poor management by a private hostel within the university, Elmada Hostel.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday, 4th July 2025, when Chioma’s room door jam-locked. She reportedly pleaded for the spare key as a matter of urgency due to a critical health condition.
Chioma, who had diabetes, sensed that her insulin level had dropped dangerously low and needed immediate access to her medication. Unfortunately, she fainted after being exposed to the harsh conditions without help.Despite reaching out to the hostel management, Chioma was allegedly told to wait until Monday before the issue could be addressed—a delay that proved life-threatening.
The incident has thrown the entire hostel community into chaos, with students demanding justice. Chioma eventually passed away on Tuesday, 9th July, after battling for her life in the hospital.
A student, Daphne Odinye, a 200-level Mass Communication undergraduate, said in an interview that “the management should face the legal consequences because they have done more damage than good.”
Another student, Victoria Nwankwo, Chioma’s friend and coursemate, expressed her sorrow over the incident and insisted that justice must be served.
While Chioma’s parents are yet to publicly respond to the tragedy, her faculty and coursemates have taken up the matter and vowed to seek justice. Her roommates are heartbroken and have been expressing their grief over her death.Students in the hostel are also threatening a protest in response to what they describe as long-standing mismanagement and extortion by the hostel authorities.
Other students have come forward to share similar experiences. A 300-level Microbiology student, Christabel Ugba, recounted a similar experience last year, when she suffered a serious health emergency but was left unattended after her door also jammed and the hostel staff allegedly refused to assist.
Another student said she once missed a 7 a.m. quiz because the hostel refused to release a spare key to her room, describing the act as “callous and lacking in human sympathy.”
Olivia Martins, a Literature and English student, also shared how she suffered a medical crisis during her 100-level days and reported her experience to her parents. Despite their concern, she was advised to remain in Elmada because of its reputation for being one of the most secure hostels on campus.
Now, students continue to voice their dissatisfaction and frustration, each recounting their own traumatic encounters with the hostel’s management whilst calling on the school management to address the situation.
As at the time of filing this report, the school Management is yet to issue a statement on the incident.
