Students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, are calling for justice after the death of a law student, Ajana Isabella, who reportedly died from diabetic complications after allegedly being denied access to her insulin medication due to a ₦120,000 fee demand by a hostel manager.
Ajana, a diabetic and resident of Elmada Hostel, is said to have experienced a medical emergency after she and her roommates misplaced their room key.
Her insulin was locked inside the room, and in a desperate attempt to retrieve it, the students turned to the hostel manager, identified as Madam Bright, for help.
According to multiple eyewitnesses, Madam Bright allegedly refused to provide a spare key unless the students paid ₦120,000 – ₦40,000 each, citing hostel policy.
Despite their appeals and explanations of the life-threatening nature of the situation, she allegedly insisted on the payment before releasing the key.
“This is beyond negligence; it’s inhuman. Someone’s life was at stake, and we were told to pay ₦120,000 before she could access her medication. This death could have been avoided,” one distraught student said.
Ajana’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and though she was rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The tragedy has triggered outrage across campus, with students demanding accountability and reforms in hostel management policies. Many have described the situation as not just tragic, but preventable.
The university has acknowledged the incident and confirmed that an investigation is underway.
However, the current whereabouts of Madam Bright remain unknown.
