Late Law School student completed externship programme five days prior – NANS

A 7-man investigative committee set up by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has found that Miss Faith Alayande, the Nigerian Law School (NLS) student who died on the Lagos Campus, had completed her externship programme five days before the tragic incident and should have left the campus.

The committee disclosed this in a report after a fact-finding dialogue with the management of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus on Tuesday.

A copy of the report was obtained by Daily Sun.

In a statement last Monday, the management of NLS confirmed the death of 23-year-old Alayande.

Alayande, a student of NLS Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus, was said to have died after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel.

However, NANS issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the NLS to explain the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

Pursuant to the ultimatum, it was learnt that the apex student body set up the 7-man investigative committee to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to the report, the NANS delegation was received by the Deputy Director-General and Head of Lagos Campus, Mr. Samuel Adedoyin Osamolu.

“From the briefing, we learnt that the deceased had completed her externship programme and was expected to have returned home approximately five days before the unfortunate incident. However, it was suggested that financial constraints may have contributed to her inability to return home within the expected period,” the NANS team’s report stated.

Osamolu, who received the NANS delegation on behalf of the Director-General of the NLS, described the student’s death as “deeply painful and unfortunate” and expressed the management’s sadness over the loss.

The deputy DG revealed that the Law School is considering a review of its accommodation arrangements for students posted to the Lagos Campus for externship.

This, he said, is “aimed at preventing a recurrence of circumstances that could potentially place students at risk.”

One of the key recommendations from the engagement, according to NANS, was for student leaders to organize mental-health and student-welfare programmes across tertiary institutions.

“The Deputy Director-General advised NANS to consider organizing mental-health and student-welfare orientation programmes across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on encouraging students to speak up whenever they are experiencing emotional, financial, academic, family or other personal challenges,” the report stated.

“Students should be made to understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. There must be an environment where students feel safe enough to speak with trusted colleagues, student leaders, school authorities, counsellors, family members or other appropriate support systems.”

The NANS team said the visit was not only to seek answers but to reflect on welfare, institutional responsibility and preventive measures.

“As student leaders, this engagement has further reinforced the responsibility we carry to protect the welfare, dignity and lives of Nigerian students. Beyond reacting to unfortunate incidents, we must also strengthen preventive measures, promote open communication and ensure that students know where to turn when they need help,” the committee said.

“May the soul of the departed student rest in peace and may her family, friends, colleagues and the entire Nigerian Law School community find the strength to bear this painful loss.”