A 300-level Computer Science student at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), identified only as Kelvin, has reportedly committed suicide amid mounting financial pressures linked to betting losses and accommodation obligations.
The tragedy has raised concerns among students and residents, as conflicting narratives emerge about what truly happened.+Full Details
A former roommate, who asked to remain anonymous, told Sahara Reporters that Kelvin had lived with him during their first year at the university.
“Kelvin was my former roommate. We stayed together during our first year in 2024. Last year, he wanted to stay alone, so I moved out. We still chat occasionally or meet at school,” he said.
The source said Kelvin often asked for help with lodging payments, describing accommodation as expensive and difficult to secure.
He added that he was in Minna when he received the news of Kelvin’s death and was told that Kelvin had been appointed caretaker of his lodge.
“What I heard from his lodge people at Justice Lodge, in the Student Villa area of Lapai, was that the landlord made him caretaker of the lodge and he was collecting payment on his behalf. I’m not sure of the amount, but they said that he used it on a bet,” the source said.
The former roommate described the news as shocking and difficult to believe.
Other campus sources told Sahara Reporters that Kelvin’s situation worsened after he allegedly lost a significant amount of money to betting. They said he was under intense pressure to remit rent collected from tenants and pay other outstanding debts.
One source revealed that Kelvin had recently transferred ₦100,000 to the landlord, promising to pay the balance once his banking network was restored.
“Before his death, he sent ₦100,000 into the landlord’s account, assuring him that the virtual bank network he was using was bad and that he would send the rest as soon as it was restored,” the source said.
“He had ₦570,000 before transferring ₦100,000,” the source added.
Other students also claimed Kelvin had borrowed money from other students while acting as a housing agent, promising to secure accommodation for them, further increasing his debt burden.
However, a family member has challenged the narrative linking Kelvin’s death to gambling.
A Facebook user, Sadiq Sani, quoted Kelvin’s sister as saying the story that he committed suicide is unclear and disputed by the family.
“She said the media has largely attributed his death to alleged gambling losses of over ₦600,000, a claim she says does not align with what the family knows,” Sani wrote.
She also questioned the authenticity of a suicide note reportedly shown to her by police, saying the handwriting did not match Kelvin’s.
“She added that just on Sunday, she had sent goods to her brother and spoke with him on the phone. During the call, Kelvin invited her to visit Lapai, but she told him she was busy with work,” the post said.
“She later learned from a church member that Kelvin might be ill. She contacted the SUG president, who reportedly assured her Kelvin was fine. But a few hours later, she received a call that he was unconscious, and before she could reach Lapai, she was told he had died,” the post added.
As of press time, neither the university management nor the Niger State Police Command has released an official statement on the incident.
This is not the first time a student has reportedly taken their own life over gambling losses in Nigeria. In May 2023, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, allegedly committed suicide after losing school fees to online betting.
Similarly, in 2016, a final-year student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Tobechukwu Okeke, reportedly took his own life after losing money in a bet.
Okeke’s body was found inside his room dangling on a blue rope by some of his friends with a suicide note that reads: “My fellow gamblers, I am sorry; my family, I let you all down.”+See more details
Do you think simple conversation would have saved Kelvin and what support systems do you think should be available for students struggling with debt and addiction? Share your views in the comment section.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
