Six final-year nursing students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) have been confirmed dead following a tragic road crash while travelling to sit for their final examinations.
The victims, all 500-level students in the university’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Bachelor of Nursing Science programme, were reportedly on their way to Ogbomoso for the concluding phase of their academic programme when the fatal accident occurred.
According to reports, the crash happened along the Suleja–Abuja expressway as the students travelled to resume face-to-face facilitation scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026.
Among those who lost their lives was a student said to have been heavily pregnant at the time of the accident, further deepening the sorrow surrounding the incident.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in a mortuary pending autopsy and further directives from the appropriate authorities.
The tragedy has thrown the university community into mourning, with colleagues, friends and loved ones struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.
It was gathered that the deceased were practising nurses who had combined their hospital duties with academic pursuits. They were said to have been balancing professional responsibilities, family commitments and the rigorous demands of advanced nursing training prior to their untimely deaths.
Classmates who had anticipated reuniting with them in the examination hall are now grappling with shock and disbelief.
The leadership of the Elegant Nurses Forum of LAUTECH condoled with the families of the deceased students. In a statement issued on Monday by the forum’s secretary, Olabisi James, the group expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
“They were expected to resume face-to-face facilitation today, Monday, February 23, 2026. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims,” the statement read.
“We mourn this devastating loss and pray for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire LAUTECH community and all those affected by this tragedy.”
The forum acknowledged the pain and grief of the families and pledged solidarity during the difficult period. It also commended emergency responders and medical personnel who attended to the victims.
The group further urged road users to exercise caution and prioritise safety while travelling.
As of the time of filing this report, the university management had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The development has also sparked reactions on social media, with a nursing-focused blog sharing photos of the deceased students on Facebook. One user, identified as @Zeezah221 on X, described the incident as heartbreaking, calling for prayers for the departed and their families.
