According to Naija Street Matters, the incident happened on Monday, April 6, 2026, as confirmed in an official statement released by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Timothy Anake, on Wednesday.

The statement explained that Jesutunmise had been actively participating in the training before stepping aside to rest, complaining of leg pain and exhaustion. Shortly after, his teammates noticed he was struggling to breathe and quickly rushed him to the university’s medical centre emergency unit, located just opposite the playing field.

Sadly, he reportedly stopped breathing before he could receive medical attention.

Part of the statement read that the university community was thrown into mourning following the sudden loss of the “diligent and vibrant” student. It added that although his friends acted swiftly in getting him to the emergency unit, he had already lost vital signs by the time he arrived.

The Vice-Chancellor further revealed that medical personnel immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation and used an automated external defibrillator in an attempt to revive him, but all efforts proved unsuccessful.

Jesutunmise was later confirmed clinically dead, with preliminary indications suggesting a previously undisclosed heart condition may have been responsible.

The incident has since sparked reactions online, with some students alleging that he was not given oxygen or immediate respiratory support while in distress. One X user, @kamiikunre, criticized the medical centre, claiming issues with oxygen availability had existed for years.

However, the university management refuted these claims, insisting there was no negligence on the part of its medical staff. According to the statement, all necessary emergency equipment was available and properly used during the response.

The university also disclosed that its leadership, led by the Vice-Chancellor, remained at the medical centre throughout the incident until the student’s family arrived and continued to support them during the difficult period.

Covenant University extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, describing Jesutunmise’s death as a painful loss not just to the institution, but to society as a whole.