In a heartbreaking turn of events, 19-year-old Opesusi Faith Timilehin reportedly took her own life after scoring 190 in the recently released UTME results conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Timilehin, who lived with her elder sibling in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, Lagos, allegedly consumed a rodent poison known as “Push Out” on Monday, shortly after seeing her result.
“She Felt She Had Done Worse Than Last Year”
Sources close to the family say the late teenager had applied to study Microbiology and had previously sat for the UTME in 2024, where she reportedly scored higher than her current 190.
“She said her last year’s result was better than this year’s,” a close family friend shared with The Guardian.
Timilehin’s neighbors described her as “gentle and humble,” and were devastated by the news of her death.
A Cruel Twist of Fate
In a tragic irony, just 30 minutes after she was confirmed dead at Kolak Hospital, Timilehin reportedly received a provisional admission offer via her Gmail from JAMB.
“It’s heartbreaking. She got the admission message minutes after she passed. It’s just too much to bear,” a family source lamented.
Family and Community in Mourning
Her parents, upon receiving the devastating news, reportedly traveled from Abeokuta to Ikorodu to retrieve her remains for burial. Local residents expressed deep sorrow and anger, directing blame at the JAMB system, which has come under fire for widespread complaints about mass failure in the 2025 UTME.
Background: UTME Controversy Deepens
Timilehin’s death adds a deeply personal and tragic layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding this year’s UTME. Over 1.5 million candidates who scored below 200 have petitioned JAMB for a review, citing concerns about possible technical errors and unfair grading.
As the nation mourns Timilehin, the tragedy is a sobering reminder of the immense pressure placed on young students, and the urgent need for mental health support systems in the education sector.
