NOUN Student Dies After Collapsing During Lagos Exam

✍️ By Teju/ December 24, 2025/ 9:33am

A student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Michael Coker, has died after collapsing during an examination at the institution’s Victoria Island study centre in Lagos last Tuesday. According to eyewitness accounts gathered by Punch Metro, the incident has sparked outrage among students, who say he was left unattended for several minutes while struggling to breathe.

Students told Punch that the collapse occurred around 11 a.m., shortly after the exam commenced. Coker, who was standing before the paper began, reportedly fell suddenly. A fellow student standing behind him caught him and placed him carefully on the floor.

However, eyewitnesses claim that a senior female lecturer and invigilator allegedly prevented students from assisting him, insisting they return to their seats and continue writing. One student, identified as Bukola, told reporters that attempts to draw the invigilator’s attention to Coker’s condition were dismissed. According to her, the lecturer reportedly said in Yoruba, “E fi sílẹ̀, ó máa dìde,” meaning “Leave him; he will get up.”

Students say Coker remained on the floor for more than 15 minutes, gasping for breath, before a nurse was eventually called in. Even then, witnesses allege it took additional time before he was placed on a chair and moved downstairs for help.

Coker was first taken to Bonny Camp Hospital, but officials there directed that he be referred to another facility for proper oxygen support. Hospital workers denied claims that he was “rejected,” explaining instead that they did not have the necessary emergency equipment for his condition. Despite the referral, Coker reportedly died before he could receive further treatment.

Another student told Punch that the invigilator may have attempted to avoid crowding around Coker, but tensions escalated as many felt the situation was mishandled and that valuable minutes were lost.

Efforts to get an official response from NOUN’s Victoria Island centre were unsuccessful. Staff members interviewed at the school declined to comment and advised reporters to return in January for clarification.

The incident has left students deeply shaken, prompting renewed questions about emergency medical protocols in Nigerian examination centres and how institutions respond to medical distress during academic activities.