A long time lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI) identified as Mr Aminu Zubairu allegedly committed suicide after years of academic stagnation.
Until recently, he was in the academic rank of Lecturer Grade II at the Department of Mathematics in the UI before he later resigned late 2018.
The late don was reportedly in his residence in the senior staff quarters located on Phillipson Road within the University last Monday afternoon when it was noticed by neighbours that it had been engulfed in fire. But efforts to safe him from asphyxiation failed.
Prior to his death, the Kaduna born lecturer who had taught many students over the years had spent not less than 22 years on his PhD, which he never eventually earn.
He had not risen above his last academic cadre as a result.
A source within the university told EduCeleb.com that following his recent resignation, he was expected to have moved out of the university staff quarters but never did till his death.
Our source, who preferred to stay anonymous, also revealed that the late university lecturer had separated from his family aside the challenges of progressing in his career.
The university management confirmed the incident but ruled out the speculation of suicide. University spokesperson, Mr Tunji Oladejo said that the body of the deceased was found intact when he was rescued from the room he slept and evacuated to the Jaja Clinic, the medical centre of the University.
He commended officials of the fire service for taking charge of the situation beyond escalation and sent a message of commiserations on behalf of the University.
“That particular building was badly affected. In fact, it was spreading into the next one. But the fire service unit was able to control the situation.”
“On behalf of the Senate congregation, management and staff of the University of Ibadan, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka sends his commiserations to the family of the deceased and prayed that Almighty Allah will expand his grave.”
The UI branch Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Deji Omole described the incident as pathetic and a major loss to the Union.
Omole said, “We were only informed of the burning flat while efforts to save him proved abortive.”
Omole urged members of the Union to confide in one another saying “isolation could deepen depression which may culminate in suicidal ideation.”
The late Zubairu’s remains has been buried at Akinyele public cemetery according to Islamic rites.
He was survived by three children.
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