Scandal Erupts: Ex-SUG President Dies From Alleged Fake Drugs at NYSC Camp, Prompting NANS Probe

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urgently called for a comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of Etimbuk Daniel, the immediate past Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of Akwa Ibom State University. Daniel’s untimely demise occurred after he allegedly received fake medication at a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Enugu State, raising profound concerns about medical care and drug safety.

Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the President of NANS, publicly disclosed the unsettling details surrounding Daniel’s death on his verified Facebook page on Monday, October 12, 2026. According to Afeez, Daniel had complained of a severe headache while participating in the orientation camp program. He was subsequently administered medication, but tragically, his condition worsened significantly after taking the drugs. The late student leader then requested to be transferred to a hospital for more advanced medical attention. However, approval for this crucial transfer was allegedly delayed, coming too late, and Daniel passed away before he could receive the necessary professional medical care.

Further compounding the tragedy are the grave allegations that a medical doctor later identified the drugs administered to Daniel as fake. NANS President Afeez emphasized the severity of these claims, stating, “We were further informed that the doctor later identified the drugs administered to him as fake. These are deeply troubling allegations that require a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.”

In a statement titled “NANS Mourns Immediate Past SUG President of Akwa Ibom State University, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel,” Afeez conveyed profound shock and sorrow, characterizing Daniel’s death as a devastating loss to the entire student community. He extended heartfelt condolences to Daniel’s grieving family, his wide circle of friends, former colleagues, Akwa Ibom State University, and the broader Nigerian student populace. “As a student community, we are in mourning at this difficult moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Akwa Ibom State University community,” Afeez articulated.

Beyond expressing grief, the NANS president highlighted the severe dangers posed by counterfeit drugs, asserting that this tragic incident powerfully underscores the critical need for robust accountability, provision of proper medical care, and the implementation of stronger measures to safeguard the lives of young people across the nation. He reiterated, “The menace of fake drugs continues to pose a grave threat to lives in our society, and this tragic incident underscores the urgent need for accountability, proper medical care, and stronger measures to protect the lives of our young people.” Afeez also affirmed that NANS is actively mourning this painful loss and will communicate its official position and planned actions regarding the matter in due course.

The circumstances surrounding Etimbuk Daniel’s death have ignited widespread alarm regarding the safety and efficacy of medications administered at NYSC orientation camps, as well as the efficiency and responsiveness of emergency medical procedures for corps members. This incident emerges amidst escalating concerns over the prevalence of fake and substandard products throughout Nigeria, intensifying calls for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to redouble its efforts to curb their circulation and robustly protect public health. Afeez concluded his statement by extending condolences to Akwa Ibom State, the NANS community, and fellow student activists, praying for strength for all those impacted by the profound loss, and for the eternal repose of Comrade Etimbuk Daniel’s soul.