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By Goli Innocent
A University of Lagos graduate, Oreoluwa Odetunde, was found dead at her off-campus residence in New York on Thursday, raising concerns over the welfare of Nigerians studying abroad.
Odetunde was in her first year of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at the S.C. Johnson College of Business, Cornell University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Lagos in 2017.
While at Cornell, she was actively involved in several student organisations, including the Johnson African Business Society, the Black Graduate Business Association, and the Old Ezra Finance Club.
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She was also recognised as a Forté Fellow and Sage Scholar and contributed to research and strategy projects for companies such as Anchoria Asset Management and Greenwich Merchant Bank.
“We are devastated for Oreoluwa’s family, friends, classmates and instructors and extend our deepest condolences in this difficult time,” the Cornell Johnson Graduate School said in a LinkedIn post.
Odetunde’s death adds to a rising number of Nigerians who have recently died abroad. In the United Kingdom, Nigerian footballer Saburi Adeniji passed away on February 6 after a severe brain stem injury, while another student, Douglas Izevbigie, died on January 21 following a battle with aggressive leukaemia.
The incident has renewed calls for increased attention to the safety and well-being of Nigerians studying overseas.
