Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - A 400-level student of the University of Lagos, Damilola Balogun, was swept away by ocean currents at a beach in Ibeju-Lekki.
This is contrary to online claims that he drowned while
attempting a backflip.
The Department of Education student, who was supposed to
begin his teaching practice on Monday, September 22, was also the
president-elect of the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association,
UNILAG chapter.
According to punch, Balogun had gone to the beach in
the Idado community with other executive members for a handover get-together.
He was in the company of the outgoing executive members, the
General Secretary, and a few colleagues when the tragedy struck on Thursday,
September 18, 2025.
His body was eventually discovered on Saturday, September 20,
at the Museyo community, opposite the spot where he drowned.
A close source of the deceased, who witnessed the incident
but declined to identify his name, said Balogun ignored warnings to stay away
from the rising ocean current.
“What happened was that the current president-elect and
other members went for a get-together with the immediate past executive
members,” the source explained.
“The new president-elect had served as vice president in the
outgoing administration, so he joined them for the handover party.
“They went to Akodo in Idado, where they spent the night. By
Thursday afternoon, only the president-elect, the general secretary, and the
outgoing vice president were still around.
“Around 2pm, after playing football, Balogun went towards
the shoreline and asked the General Secretary to take pictures and videos of
him.
"The General Secretary warned him that the ocean
current was too strong, but Balogun insisted he wanted to ‘enjoy the village
life’ a little longer.
“At some point, the General Secretary left him at the
shoreline because he could no longer withstand the waves.
“He only noticed from afar when locals began shouting
that the president-elect was waving for help inside the water."
The source added that attempts by local divers to rescue
him failed as strong currents pulled him under.
“The incident happened on Thursday. By Saturday morning,
the Baale of the community alerted us that a body had been found at the
shoreline. We confirmed it was him. He was buried that same evening in Museyo,”
the source added.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the National
Association of Nigerian Students, Joint Campus Council in a statement signed by
its chairman and spokesperson, Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri and Ridwan Ajayi,
described Balogun as a beacon of hope and a steadfast advocate for the rights
and welfare of students.
“He was a brave, strong, and dogged comrade, a shining
light in the Lagos State student movement. He embodied resilience, dedication,
and a genuine passion for service. He was a happy soul, a star with dreams as
bright as dawn, and a leader committed to advancing the welfare and aspirations
of Nigerian students,” the statement read.
“His life was marked by an uncommon dedication to
service, a cheerful spirit, and a resolve that inspired everyone privileged to
know him. In the prime of his journey, fate dealt us a devastating blow when
the ocean claimed him. Yet even in his final moments, he remained who he had
always been — a fighter."
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