How Locked Hostel Keys Led to Diabetic UNIZIK Student’s Death

A tragic incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability after a 100-level law student, Isabella Ajana, died following complications related to type 1 diabetes, complications worsened by her inability to access her medication locked inside her hostel room.

Ajana, described by peers as quiet and focused, was accidentally locked out of her room at Emalda Hostel — a semi-private facility near the university — on June 27, when she and her roommates mistakenly left their key inside the room. Efforts to retrieve a spare key proved futile, as the key custodian was unavailable for three days.

On the night of June 29, Ajana’s health deteriorated rapidly. Her vital insulin and other medications remained locked in the room, and despite desperate attempts to manage the situation overnight, her condition worsened. She was first taken to the university’s medical centre before being referred to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, where she was admitted on June 30.

Though she reportedly showed signs of recovery by July 3, her health relapsed, and she passed away on July 4. Her death, which occurred just four days after another student died while playing football, was kept private until July 8, out of respect for her family’s wishes.

Emma Ojukwu, from UNIZIK’s Public Relations department, confirmed that the university has set up an investigative panel to look into potential lapses on the part of the hostel and university medical services.

“The girl had type 1 diabetes, which requires daily insulin. Unfortunately, she did not disclose her health status in her university medical records and wasn’t enrolled in our medical centre,” Ojukwu said. “Even her roommates weren’t aware of her condition, and this lack of critical information made the situation more difficult for the doctors.”

Ajana’s sudden passing has deeply shaken the university community, reigniting debates on the adequacy of student welfare systems and emergency protocols across hostels. Her case highlights critical gaps in medical record management, hostel responsiveness, and health emergency preparedness.

This is the second student death reported within a week at UNIZIK, following the collapse and death of a 300-level microbiology student, known simply as Tochi, during a football match.