A student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Michael Coker, has died after collapsing during an examination at the university’s Victoria Island study centre in Lagos.
The incident occurred last Tuesday when Coker suddenly fell ill just as he was about to begin his test.
Eyewitnesses revealed that Coker lay on the exam hall floor gasping for air for several minutes, while other students were reportedly stopped from attending to him immediately.
One student said a senior invigilator insisted that others return to their seats, even as Coker struggled to breathe.
Eventually, help arrived and Coker was taken downstairs and rushed to Bonny Camp Hospital.
He was later referred to another facility where oxygen would be available, but he died before receiving further treatment, according to one account.
The hospital, however, denied rejecting him and said he was properly referred for further care.
Students at the centre were distraught after the incident, with some alleging that delays in providing aid contributed to the tragedy.
Another student, who spoke anonymously, said Coker collapsed moments before logging into the exam system, and that the invigilator initially sought to maintain order by giving him space.
Some staff described sudden medical emergencies during exams as not uncommon, noting that students may have underlying health conditions they themselves are unaware of.
Efforts to obtain an official comment from the university’s management were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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