| Marketing & Communication
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM BABCOCK UNIVERSITY
MOTHER’S ONLINE SENSATIONAL OUTBURSTS OVER “MISSING” SON: BABCOCK SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Babcock University wishes to set the record straight regarding recent social media claims concerning a student, by name, Oladipupo Siwajuola, a one academic year JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board) Program Student who was reported to be missing. Contrary to public assertions, the student in question left the University campus unlawfully, without following established protocols or obtaining proper clearance from University authorities.
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 sensationalize 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 galvanizing efforts, urgently and assiduously, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), 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 the 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. The University currently awaits the outcome of the full scale investigation by the NPF authorities into the circumstances surrounding the student’s disappearance and re-emergence. It is however important to note that from the University’s records, Oladipupo exited the University’s campus without authorization and did not follow the approved procedures for leaving University premises.
1. Let it be clearly stated that Babcock University is a responsible, faith-based academic institution that takes the safety, security, and well-being of its students with the utmost seriousness. Our protocols for student welfare, hall monitoring, and campus safety are firmly in place and are constantly reviewed to capture emerging trends and challenges as many members of the public who have transacted with the University are already aware.
2. With an on campus resident student population in the neighborhood of 13,000, right from the start of their academic programs till the end (the highest of such in Nigeria), Babcock University has never experienced a case of this nature in its decades-long history. That is a testament to the integrity of our systems and the values we uphold. Our students thrive in a morally guided, academically sound environment that has consistently produced graduates who excel in professional and public spaces across the globe; these assertions are clearly evident in the public domain.
3. It is important to clarify that while the University exercises a duty of care over its students, that duty is not absolute in the manner required for infants or toddlers. Our students are adolescents and young adults, many of whom are legally and socially responsible for their personal decisions. As a university setting, unlike a nursery, is built on mutual trust, guided responsibility, and individual accountability. As a result, each and every Babcock University student is made to enter into voluntary contract and sign an undertaking to this effect as soon he or she enrolls into the University.
4. Students are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and adhere to laid-down policies, including those regarding movement, conduct, and financial dealing with others which the University regularly explains and makes available to them.
5. For emphasis, General Duty of Care Implies that:
Universities are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. This includes providing a safe learning environment, offering pastoral care, and ensuring the delivery of educational services to a reasonable standard.
6. Duty of Care of any University is NOT and CANNOT be Absolute:
The duty is not absolute, meaning it is not a guarantee that a student will be protected from all harm. Universities are not insurers of their students' safety.
7. The Duty of Care is Limited By:
(i) Reasonableness: Universities must act reasonably, not perfectly. They are not required to foresee every possible risk or eliminate every potential hazard.
(ii) Student Responsibility: Students also have a responsibility to look after their own health, safety, and well-being. This includes complying with laid down rules and regulations, being aware of risks, taking reasonable precautions, and seeking help when needed.
(iii) Scope of Responsibility: The University's duty of care typically extends to the campus and its immediate surroundings, and to activities directly organized or sponsored by the university.
8. 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 fair hearing, to clear himself for the misconducts 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.
9. Our findings show that on several occasions, the student’s roommates expressed concern to his mother via WhatsApp about his suspicious and unsettling behavior. They mentioned that he had recently been using a "local sponge and black soap," which created an unpleasant atmosphere in their room. In response, his mother explained that she had given him those items to help treat various skin conditions. She also mentioned that she had prepared a mixture of lemon, turmeric, and neem leaves for him to use as skin cream. This explanation of hers did not sit well with the roommates as the roommates were aware of well documented University policy to all students and employees that Babcock University does not allow the use of fetish looking and or suspicious items on its campus. It is our belief that she adopted the said explanation as a measure to cover up her son’s misdemeanors. Additionally, the roommates informed her about his growing debts to other students and other misdemeanors (inappropriate behaviors) of his, including the University prohibited act of gambling which they had refrained from reporting to the university authorities. His mother thanked them for their discretion and pleaded with them not to report him to the University authorities, fearing it could lead to disciplinary action. She expressed appreciation to them for always notifying her of her son’s wrongdoings, and sought their advice on how best to handle him. It is imperative to also add at this juncture that it is on record that the mother of Oladipupo was fully aware of the threat carried out by her son, to ‘shook’ one of his roommates, Tobi Famuyiwa with an object, for calling his mother and reporting him to her.
10. INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM OLADIPUPO'S MOTHER ON FRIDAY, 02 MAY, 2025
· Oladipupo’s mother who had taken him home earlier for JAMB examination, returned him to school on Monday, 28 April, 2025, after he had completed his JAMB examination (supporting documents attached).
· She noticed that he was not as cheerful or lively as he used to be.
· Upon arrival at home while away for his JAMB examination, she requested to see his phone.
· Oladipupo claimed the phone was on the table in his room.
· His mother asked him to call his roommates to confirm. They responded that there was no phone on the table.
· Oladipupo then changed his story, stating that he had left the phone with his friend, Lampard Sowemimo.
· Upon returning to school, Oladipupo’s mother again asked for the phone. Oladipupo claimed it was still with Lampard, who had not yet resumed. Lampard is a community (off-campus) student and does not reside on school premises.
· However, Lampard only had in his possession the SIM card of Oladipupo which Oladipupo had removed from his own phone and used it in Lampard’s device to maintain communication with his mother.
· His mother returned to campus the same day after realizing that Oladipupo had taken the key to their house at home.
· She once again asked about the phone, but Oladipupo claimed the battery had died.
· It was later discovered that Oladipupo had sold his phone, and had been lying to his mother all along.
· A student named Tobi Famuyiwa decided to inform Oladipupo’s mother about her son’s misconducts. Meanwhile, the school’s routine room inspection system flagged Oladipupo’s unlawful absence and other suspected misdemeanors. The students who were expected to report his absence failed to do so because Oladipupo’s mother had pleaded with them not to involve the University authorities. In doing so, Oladipupo’s mother obstructed the University’s reporting procedures (WhatsApp chat evidences are available).
· Upon receiving Tobi’s report, Oladipupo’s mother confronted her son.
· Angered by this, Oladipupo returned to the residence hall the same day (28 April, 2025) to confront and threaten Tobi for reporting him.
· That night, Oladipupo left the room wearing a hoodie and carrying a backpack.
· After selling his phone, Oladipupo installed his banking app on Lampard’s phone and gave him access to his banking credentials.
· Oladipupo’s mother, noticing unusual transaction activity on her son’s account, quickly withdrew the remaining funds therein.
· Before she could intervene, Oladipupo had already made several withdrawals to repay his several creditors.
· His mother also mentioned receiving a report that Oladipupo was involved in gambling activities, specifically with Bet9ja (this may be supported by his bank statement).
· Until Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Oladipupo continued chatting with his mother using his laptop.
· On Friday, May 2, 2025, Oladipupo’s mother formally reported the matter to the Student Development Office.
· The case was also reported to the University Security Department that same day.
· Lampard was immediately invited and interrogated for several hours at the SOP (Student Operations Post) until the night of Saturday, 3 May, 2025.
11. In light of the above facts and recent events, we strongly denounce the irresponsible and reckless use of social media by the Oladipupo’s mother to whip up sentiment, attract public sympathy, cast aspersions on the University’s reputation, and to incite public unrest—even while investigations were ongoing. Such action was not only premature and unjustified, but also grossly unfair to the University community, which was already working in collaboration with law enforcement agents to ascertain the whereabouts of her son.
12. The insinuation that Babcock University was complicit in the student’s disappearance is not only false and defamatory, but also an unfortunate display of disregard for truth and due process. We caution the public to be wary of one-sided narratives circulated without verification or respect for institutional integrity.
13. Over the years, the University’s experience has shown that despite assurances from parents and almost swearing to the “good” behaviors of their wards, like Oladipupo’s mother did severally on social media these past days, the character and conduct of certain students have consistently raised serious concerns. Despite the University’s sustained efforts to provide a stable, engaging, and morally supportive academic environment, some students have not demonstrated the values expected of them.
14. Babcock University will continue to work with the NPF and appropriate authorities to understand the full facts of this incident.
15. Meanwhile, we seize this opportunity to remind the public that Babcock University reserve the right to seek redress under the law for any reputational damage caused by malicious and unfounded statements made against the University and on this very matter, we may not be hesitant to so do in due course.
We remain committed to nurturing responsible citizens and upholding our legacy as a citadel of excellence and character. We encourage parents and guardians to partner with us responsibly, respecting institutional processes rather than resorting to public misrepresentation and unfounded accusations.
We take seriously the trust placed in us by parents and the wider public, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards of student welfare, character development, and institutional accountability.
Signed,
Joshua Suleiman, PhD
Director of Communication and Public Relations
Babcock University
5 May, 2025