Babcock University, a leading private tertiary institution in Nigeria, has strongly refuted claims that a student went missing on its campus, stating that the student in question, Oladipupo Siwajuola, left school premises unlawfully without following due clearance procedures. The institution described the widely circulated reports as false and damaging to its reputation, warning that it may seek legal redress for defamation.
In an official statement released on Monday, May 5, and signed by the Director of Communication and Public Relations, Dr. Joshua Suleiman, Babcock University expressed disappointment over the actions of the student’s mother, Mrs. Fijabi Omotayo, who went viral on social media claiming her son was missing.
According to Suleiman, the student, enrolled under the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) programme, exited the campus without adhering to university regulations, which mandate proper clearance for any temporary or permanent exit. The management alleged that Mrs. Fijabi’s statements created a misleading narrative that unjustly portrayed the institution in a negative light.
Preliminary reports indicated that Oladipupo was later found in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, a community close to Lagos where he had attended secondary school. The university noted that it had initiated internal investigations and referred the matter to law enforcement for further scrutiny.
“Routine checks flagged the student’s absence from his dormitory, and there is WhatsApp chat evidence suggesting the mother discouraged his roommates from reporting him missing,” the statement revealed.
The institution further stated that the student’s roommates had earlier expressed concerns about his “strange behaviour,” particularly his use of items such as black soap and local sponge, which they associated with fetish practices—an allegation the mother later defended by explaining they were prescribed remedies for a skin condition.
“She explained that she had prepared the herbal mixture using turmeric, lemon, and neem leaves, but the roommates’ complaints raised a flag due to the university’s strict no-tolerance policy on suspicious substances,” the institution added.
Babcock University confirmed that both Oladipupo and other students mentioned in the matter would appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee to ensure due process and fair hearing in line with its commitment to student welfare and discipline.
The university also criticized the viral video in which Mrs. Fijabi emotionally appealed to the public for help in locating her son, suggesting that her outcry was premature and misinformed. “Going on social media without verifying the facts or engaging the university through appropriate channels only stokes panic and discredits the institution’s longstanding reputation,” Suleiman stated.
Maintaining its stance on the issue, the university signaled that it may pursue legal action if the defamatory claims are not retracted. “We reserve the right to seek legal redress to protect our image and deter similar acts in the future,” the statement concluded.
Babcock further appealed to parents and guardians to uphold constructive collaboration with educational institutions, noting that emotional outbursts and public accusations could undermine established administrative protocols.
“We remain committed to building responsible citizens, and we urge parents to respect institutional processes for the sake of accountability and transparency,” the school emphasized.
As of press time, Mrs. Fijabi has confirmed via a Facebook update that her son had been located but has not offered further details about his whereabouts or the circumstances leading to his exit from school.
The incident has triggered a broader conversation on student mental health, campus exit protocols, and the role of parents in supporting institutional discipline. While the university maintains its innocence, it has reiterated its readiness to address any genuine concerns through proper investigative channels.