LAGOS, NIGERIA — The death of 19-year-old Timilehin Opesusi has sparked widespread grief and outrage across Nigeria, as her father, Femi Opesusi, blames irregularities in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for the tragic loss.
Timilehin, an aspiring Biochemistry student, died by suicide after receiving a score of 146 in the 2025 UTME — significantly lower than the 190 she had achieved the previous year. Her father believes the score was inaccurate and not reflective of her actual performance.
“She was crying, saying, ‘Daddy, this is not my result! Go and do something!’” Mr. Opesusi told Channels Television. “I reassured her that her school fees were intact and we’d sort it out. But within 30 minutes, I got the call — she had poisoned herself.”
According to her family, Timilehin ingested a sachet of rat poison, disguising it as a treatment for stomach upset when asking her older sister for palm oil. She collapsed shortly after and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors tried unsuccessfully to save her life.
Mr. Opesusi, who watched his daughter’s final moments over a video call, said she expressed deep regret before passing. “She regretted it, but it was too late,” he said.
Timilehin had previously turned down an admission offer from the Federal University in Offa due to financial and logistical challenges. She had been working as a hairdresser at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) while preparing for another opportunity to gain admission.
Following her death, rumors circulated that she had received another offer of admission. Her father, however, refuted the claims. “Nobody gave her admission. I can’t even open her result on her phone. It’s all rumours,” he said.
He criticized the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its silence and lack of communication. “They haven’t contacted me. No government official has. And honestly, I don’t want to see them,” he added. “All I want is the real result of my daughter — not one they changed after she died.”
Mr. Opesusi holds JAMB accountable for what he describes as a failure in the examination process, claiming that technical glitches and score irregularities affected many students this year. “She asked me to fight for her result. That was the last thing she asked for.”
The incident has ignited national concern, with students and parents sharing similar complaints about unexpected UTME scores and technical issues during the 2025 exam cycle.
Timilehin Opesusi’s death has become a flashpoint in calls for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s education system, highlighting the pressure students face and the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability.
