A tragic road accident on the Suleja-Abuja expressway on Sunday, February 22, 2026, has claimed the lives of six female 500-level nursing students from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)'s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Bachelor of Nursing Science programme. The students were en route to the university’s main campus in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to sit for their semester and final examinations when the fatal crash occurred, plunging the academic community and the nation into deep mourning.

The Elegant Nurses Forum issued an official statement, signed by its Secretary Olabisi Sunday James, expressing profound sorrow over the devastating loss. The forum described the incident as a significant blow to both the nursing profession and the academic community, noting that the students were expected to resume academic activities, including face-to-face facilitation, shortly after the accident. The forum extended its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims, acknowledging their pain and grief, and commending the swift efforts of emergency responders and medical personnel at the scene. Furthermore, the group used the somber occasion to appeal to all road users to exercise greater caution and prioritize safety while traveling.

Reports indicate that among the deceased was a student who was heavily pregnant at the time of the crash. All six victims were reportedly working nurses, diligently balancing their hospital duties with rigorous academic pursuits. Their lives were tragically cut short as they sought to complete the concluding phase of their academic journey.

The incident has ignited widespread outrage and criticism directed at LAUTECH’s Open and Distance Learning structure. Students, civil society advocates, and concerned Nigerians have decried the tragedy as avoidable, calling for urgent institutional reform. Critics argue that the university’s ODL programme forces students to undertake perilous long-distance travels across states to write examinations, a practice that unnecessarily exposes them to severe risks. Many insist that a pattern of recurring accidents involving students en route to exams highlights systemic failures within the program.

Commentators have drawn comparisons with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), which operates a more decentralized Distance Learning programme with multiple examination centers nationwide, despite LAUTECH's programme having been established earlier. Stakeholders underscore the disturbing trend of nursing students traveling each semester to specific locations for exams, leading to recurrent accident reports. Social media platforms have been inundated with expressions of anger and grief, with many demanding accountability from the university's management and advocating for the immediate decentralization of examination centers. Advocacy groups have urged LAUTECH to urgently review its operational framework and make student safety its paramount priority by establishing examination centers in every state to mitigate risks.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, some ODL Nursing students have voiced deeper frustrations regarding the administration of the programme. Anonymous sources recounted emotional distress due to repeated resit examinations, incidents of missing scripts, and allegations of financial exploitation. One student shared their experience of travelling 'all the way from the east to Ogbomoso, from 200L till we finished 500L,' detailing how the programme, which started in 2021, took a significant toll. Allegations include being charged additional fees for resitting papers due to the institution's loss of original scripts, leading to accusations of LAUTECH 'extorting' students. Another student described becoming hypertensive during the programme, citing bias in results and graduation lists, and threats from the administration when complaints were raised. These students, many seeking certificates for career advancement, pleaded for intervention from stakeholders and the media.

As condolences continue to pour in for the bereaved families, the tragedy has intensified calls for fundamental structural reforms within LAUTECH’s Distance Learning programme. As of the time of this report, the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology has not issued a detailed public response addressing the growing criticisms. Stakeholders emphasize that beyond sympathy, concrete and immediate action is imperative to prevent any further loss of student lives.