Tragedy at UNILAG: Food Vendor Electrocuted to Death at Idi-Araba Campus

 

​The University of Lagos (UNILAG) community has been plunged into mourning following a tragic electrocution incident that claimed the life of a food vendor on Monday, February 16, 2026. The victim, identified simply as Lekan, was a sales assistant for a commercial food outlet operating within the university’s College of Medicine (CMUL) premises in Idi-Araba. This heartbreaking event has once again ignited intense discussions regarding electrical safety and infrastructural maintenance within Nigerian tertiary institutions.

​How the Incident Occurred

​According to eyewitness reports and a formal statement from the university management, the tragedy took place during the early hours of Monday at a water point located on the Southern section of the Idi-Araba campus. Lekan had reportedly gone to the area to dispose of refuse as part of his morning routine.

​Witnesses stated that after disposing of the waste, Lekan stopped at a public tap to wash his hands. As he attempted to turn off the faucet, he inadvertently made contact with a metal railing positioned close to the water point. Unbeknownst to him, the railing had become "live" due to an electrical fault. The resulting shock was instantaneous and severe, leaving him incapacitated at the scene.

​Rescue Efforts and Official Confirmation

​A student, who witnessed the aftermath, noted that Lekan was initially alone when the incident occurred. It was a security operative on patrol who noticed something was amiss and raised an alarm, attracting a crowd to the scene.

​"We performed CPR on him for about ten minutes," one student shared. "He actually regained consciousness briefly, which gave us hope." Lekan was immediately rushed to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit of the school’s medical facility. Despite the frantic efforts of the medical team to stabilize him, he was tragically pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

​The University’s Head of Communication, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, confirmed the loss in an official release, stating:

​“The University of Lagos management regrets to confirm a fatal electrocution incident at the College of Medicine, Idi-Araba campus... The university extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the deceased.”

​Investigating the Cause: A Search for Answers

​Following the incident, the Lagos State Police Command and university engineers were deployed to the site to conduct a preliminary investigation. Early reports from engineers suggest that while the railing is a frequently used fixture by students and staff, an underlying electrical defect—possibly exacerbated by recent weather conditions or faulty wiring—led to the fatal surge.

​The Students’ Union Government (SUG), led by Secretary-General Joshua Saanumi, has also been involved in monitoring the situation, ensuring that a full audit of the area's electrical safety is conducted to prevent a recurrence.

​A Recurring Nightmare?

​For many within the UNILAG community, this tragedy feels like a painful echo of the past. The university has faced similar electrical safety crises before, most notably the 2015 death of Oluchi Anekwe, a first-class student who was killed by a falling high-tension wire. While the university has made strides in upgrading its power infrastructure—including the recent unveiling of a N140m electricity project—this latest incident serves as a grim reminder that even minor faults in public fixtures can have terminal consequences.

​Moving Forward: The Need for Rigorous Safety Audits

​As the university management and local authorities conclude their investigations, there is a growing call from the student body for a comprehensive safety audit of all "water-meets-metal" points across both the Akoka and Idi-Araba campuses. The loss of Lekan, a young man simply going about his daily work, highlights the vulnerability of campus workers and the critical importance of grounding electrical systems in public spaces.