Michael Coker, a student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has died after collapsing unexpectedly during an examination at the university’s Victoria Island study centre in Lagos last Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses and fellow students said Coker lay on the floor for more than 15 minutes, struggling to breathe, while attempts by other students to assist him were reportedly blocked.
A student, identified only as Bukola, told our correspondent during a visit to the campus on Tuesday that a female senior lecturer allegedly prevented students from helping Coker during the critical moments.
The circumstances surrounding the incident have sparked concern among students and raised questions about the handling of emergencies at the study centre.
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Bukola said, “It happened around 11am on Tuesday, shortly after we entered the hall for the examination. It wasn’t a crowded period; the corridors and staircases were free.
“Coker was standing, with another student behind him. He suddenly collapsed, and the student behind him held him and placed him on the floor.”
She alleged that the female invigilator from an adjacent hall entered and ordered students to return to their seats.
“She started chasing everyone away to write their exams, even though the student was on the floor, gasping. Someone told her that a student had collapsed, and she replied in Yoruba, ‘E fi sílẹ̀, ó máa dìde,’ meaning ‘Leave him; he will get up.’”
According to Bukola, students became worried and began asking questions about Coker’s condition.
“We asked if he had epilepsy, and they said no. Another person asked if he was convulsing. Someone even suggested putting a spoon in his mouth.
“All this while, he was still on the floor, jerking and gasping for life, but she kept chasing us away,” she added.
Bukola further claimed that it took several minutes for help to arrive.
“This went on for more than four minutes. It was only when his breathing became unstable that one of the invigilators said they had called a nurse. Even placing him on a chair took another five minutes. By then, he was already gasping badly.
“The nurse eventually came and administered first aid before he was taken downstairs through the elevator. We were told to continue with our exams. It was only after we finished that we were informed that Coker had died.”
