She watched him walk through the gate, prayed, and turned to leave. Minutes later, Oluwasola Adebayo was on the ground.
The mother had just dropped her child at the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination centre in Ilara-Mokin on Monday morning. By the time help arrived at the junction in Ifedore Local Government Area, she was gone.
An eyewitness told reporters Adebayo complained of weakness shortly after leaving the UTME centre. She made it to the junction, then collapsed without warning.
“Efforts to revive her were unsuccessful, and she was confirmed dead on the spot,” the eyewitness said.
Inside the hall, her child sat with pen and paper, writing the exam that could shape his future. He did not know his mother lay lifeless outside.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the death Monday. Spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh said the command was “deeply concerned” by the incident.
“Upon thorough checks, the remains of the deceased has been released to one Mr Apapa Olamilekan, who identified himself as her son and an officer of the Nigeria Legion, Akure,” Jimoh said in a statement.
The police urged the public to remain calm and commiserated with the family.
For candidates and parents across Nigeria, the UTME is a day of nerves and hope. For one family in Ondo, it became the day a mother completed her final duty — and never made it home.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board exam continues nationwide this week.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
