The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has launched an investigation into the death of Miss Isabella Ajana, a 100-level Law student, who died days after being locked out of her hostel room and denied access to her medication.

Ajana, who was living at Emalda Hostel, a privately owned accommodation near the university, died on Friday, July 4, after being admitted to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital. She had been hospitalised since Monday, June 30.

The incident began on Friday, June 27, when Ajana and her roommates mistakenly left their room key inside and were unable to retrieve it. Attempts to access a spare key reportedly failed because the key custodian was out of the state.

The situation reportedly became critical by Sunday night as the deceased, a Type 1 diabetes patient, had no access to her insulin, which was locked in the room. Access to the room was only granted on Monday morning when the spare key arrived. By then, the delay had caused severe complications.

Ajana was initially taken to the UNIZIK Medical Centre but was referred to the teaching hospital due to the centre’s inability to manage her case. Although she reportedly showed signs of recovery by Thursday, she died the following day.
The university did not officially announce her death until July 8, after her mother informed one of her close friends. Reports of the incident have sparked grief and frustration within the university community, with students demanding accountability.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Njelita Louis, confirmed the student’s death and said that a formal investigation is underway.

“The attention of the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been drawn to the distressing incident involving Miss Isabella Ajana,” the statement read. “We are actively working to get to the root of this unfortunate situation.”
Louis added that the university is focusing its inquiry on the operations, management, and student welfare provisions at Emalda Hostel. He also called for calm while the investigation continues.

“The university is committed to transparency and will keep the public informed about the progress and outcome of the investigation. We urge everyone to remain calm and avoid any actions that could disrupt the peace,” he said.

Ajana’s death comes just days after another student, Tochi, a 300-level Microbiology student, reportedly collapsed and died while playing football. The two incidents have intensified scrutiny of student welfare and emergency response protocols at the institution.