Demands independent probe, safety audit, CCTV footage, emergency-response details
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National Secretariat has condemned the tragic death of a student of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Council of Legal Education (CLE) to provide a comprehensive account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The student reportedly died after falling from the rooftop of the Lagos Campus hostel at about 4:00am on Friday, August 7, 2026.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General of NANS National Secretariat, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman “Dan Fodio,” the students’ body expressed deep sorrow over the incident and raised concerns about the safety, security and welfare arrangements at the institution.
NANS said although it acknowledged the statement issued by the Council of Legal Education/Nigerian Law School concerning the incident, several questions remained unanswered and required urgent, transparent and independent clarification.
According to the association, the circumstances surrounding the death should not be dismissed as an unfortunate occurrence, particularly because the incident happened within student accommodation under the responsibility of an educational institution.
“The safety of Nigerian students must never be treated with levity,” NANS stated, stressing that institutions have a fundamental responsibility to provide secure environments for students under their care.
The association extended its condolences to the deceased student's family, colleagues, friends, classmates and the wider Nigerian Law School community.
NANS maintained that the death demanded a thorough examination of all circumstances leading to the incident, including the events preceding and immediately following the student's fall.
As part of its demands, the students' body is asking the Council of Legal Education to provide a detailed account of the incident and disclose the security and safety measures that were in place at the Lagos Campus hostel when the tragedy occurred.
NANS also demanded an immediate safety and security audit of the hostel, with particular attention to rooftops, balconies, stairways, access points and other areas that could pose safety risks to students.
The association further requested clarification on the availability and functionality of CCTV surveillance, access-control systems, security personnel and emergency-response mechanisms at the campus hostel.
It also called for the immediate implementation of measures capable of preventing a recurrence of any incident arising from security or structural deficiencies identified during the investigation.
NANS warned that failure by the Council of Legal Education to provide satisfactory responses within the 72-hour period would compel its National Secretariat to take further necessary steps in the interest of justice and the protection of Nigerian students.
The association said such steps would include relocating its National Secretariat to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, until its demands are satisfactorily addressed.
Beyond the ultimatum, NANS announced plans to constitute a seven-member investigative committee to independently examine the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
The committee, according to the association, will engage relevant stakeholders, students, appropriate authorities and the management of the Nigerian Law School with the objective of establishing the facts surrounding the incident and making recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence.
NANS stressed that its intervention was driven by the need to ensure that Nigerian students can live and study in environments where their safety and dignity are adequately protected.
The students' body reiterated its commitment to defending the safety, welfare, dignity and rights of students across the country.
“Enough is enough. Nigerian students deserve safe campuses,” the association declared.
The statement was electronically signed by Comrade Oladimeji Uthman “Dan Fodio,” Secretary General, NANS National Secretariat.
