NOUN Student Dies After Collapsing During Examination at Victoria Island Centre

NOUN Student Dies After Collapsing During Examination at Victoria Island Centre

A student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Michael Coker, has reportedly died after collapsing during an examination at the institution’s Victoria Island study centre in Lagos.

The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, while students were preparing to sit for an examination. Witnesses said Coker suddenly collapsed inside the examination hall and allegedly lay unattended for several minutes while gasping for breath.

A fellow student, identified as Bukola, alleged that a female senior lecturer and invigilator prevented students from assisting the distressed student.

“It happened shortly after we entered the hall. Coker was standing when he suddenly collapsed. Another student held him and laid him on the floor,” Bukola said.

She claimed that the invigilator from a nearby hall ordered students to return to their seats instead of attending to the collapsed student.

“She kept chasing everyone away to continue writing the exam, even though he was on the floor gasping. When told a student had collapsed, she said in Yoruba, ‘E fi sílẹ̀, ó máa dìde’ (Leave him; he will get up),” Bukola alleged.

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According to her, Coker reportedly remained on the floor for over 15 minutes, during which students expressed concern and attempted to understand his condition, but were repeatedly stopped.

“It took several minutes before help came. Even moving him to a chair took another five minutes. By then, his breathing was very bad,” she said.

Bukola added that a nurse later arrived, administered first aid, and Coker was taken downstairs via an elevator. Students were reportedly instructed to continue with their examination and were only informed after the exam that Coker had died.

Another student and class representative, Prince Preskit, confirmed that Coker collapsed while attempting to log into the examination system.

“I think the invigilator initially wanted people to give him space. When it became obvious that it was serious, he was taken downstairs and rushed to the hospital,” Preskit said.

He disclosed that Coker was taken to Bonny Camp Hospital, but later died while being moved to another medical facility.

However, Bonny Camp Hospital denied claims that it rejected the student.

“The patient was not rejected,” a hospital official told Punch. “He was referred to another hospital where oxygen would be available.”

The incident has since sparked outrage among students, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the handling of the emergency during the examination.

NOUN Student Dies After Collapsing During Examination at Victoria Island Centre