Babcock University, Ogun State, has confirmed that Oladipupo Siwajuola, a one-year Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) student who was recently declared missing, left the campus without authorization or compliance with official procedures.
On May 3, 2025, the student’s mother, Mrs. Fijabi Oyindamola Omotayo, raised alarm about his disappearance in a video shared widely on social media.
In a statement released on Monday, the university said: “Unverified reports indicated that Oladipupo Siwajuola emerged from his hiding place in Akute, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, a town very close to Lagos State where he previously attended secondary school.”
“The student’s exit from the University campus was neither approved nor known to the University at the time.
“In an unfortunate turn, the student’s mother took to social media to sensationalise the situation, falsely accusing Babcock University and its students of negligence and complicity.”
“These public allegations were not only misleading but deeply regrettable.
“She was doing this while the University, rather than joining the needless engagement on social media, was busy galvanising efforts, urgently and assiduously, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, ever-patriotic and dedicated Babcock student bodies and concerned citizens to ensure the safety and return of the student.”
“First and foremost, we are pleased to inform the public that certain reliable sources suggest the student in question has returned from his hiding place to her mother’s care. Unverified reports indicate that Oladipupo Siwajuola emerged from his hiding place in Akute in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, a town very close to Lagos State where he previously attended secondary school.”
“However, Babcock University has not received any official confirmation or denial of this information from the NPF. Furthermore, the student’s mother has not contacted the University to confirm the situation.”
“It is, however, important to note that from the University’s records, Oladipupo exited the University’s campus without authorisation and did not follow the approved procedures for leaving University premises.”
Additionally, the university revealed that Oladipupo’s roommates had previously expressed concerns to his mother through WhatsApp, reporting erratic behavior and suspected use of fetish items.
“They repeatedly raised concerns to his mother via WhatsApp about his strange behaviour, including the use of items perceived as fetish, like a ‘local sponge and black soap’ which she claimed were for treating skin conditions.”
“They also informed her of his debts, gambling, and other misconduct. She thanked them, asked them not to report him to the authorities, and sought their advice on handling him. Additionally, it is noted that she was aware of a threat he made to stab a roommate, Tobi Famuyiwa, for reporting his actions to her.”
“For the above reasons, Oladipupo is going to appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee of the University, particularly to be given, as usual, the opportunity of a fair hearing, to clear himself of the misconduct allegedly perpetrated by him.
In the same vein, any other alleged person (student or employee) indicted in the ongoing investigation will equally appear before the appropriate University committee.”
The university also provided a timeline of events leading to the incident. After Oladipupo returned to campus on April 28 following his JAMB examination, his mother observed changes in his behavior and inconsistencies about his phone, which he had reportedly sold.
Using a friend’s device, he kept in touch and shared banking details to settle debts. His mother later noticed suspicious bank transactions and withdrew remaining funds from his account. Communication continued through his laptop until April 30. On May 2, she formally notified university officials. By May 3, his friend Lampard Sowemimo had been questioned by campus security.
