Former Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of Akwa Ibom State University, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, has died at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Enugu State amid allegations that he was given counterfeit medication and did not receive timely medical attention. The circumstances surrounding his death, reported in October 2026, have prompted calls for an investigation into the treatment he received and the camp’s emergency medical response.
Key Highlights
- Former Akwa Ibom State University SUG President Etimbuk Daniel died at an NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State.
- NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez said Daniel complained of a headache and was given medication.
- Daniel’s condition reportedly worsened after he took the drugs.
- NANS alleged that a doctor later identified the medication as fake.
- The student body also raised concerns over an alleged delay in transferring Daniel to an outside hospital.
- The NYSC Enugu secretariat had not responded to media enquiries at the time of reporting.
- The exact medical cause of death and the authenticity of the medication have not been independently confirmed publicly.
Etimbuk Daniel Dies at Enugu NYSC Orientation Camp
Comrade Etimbuk Daniel, the immediate past SUG president of Akwa Ibom State University, reportedly died shortly after arriving at the NYSC orientation camp in Enugu State for the 2026 Batch C Stream.
The death was disclosed by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which expressed sadness over the loss and called attention to allegations concerning the medical care Daniel received before his death.
According to NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, Daniel complained of a headache while at the camp and was given medication by medical personnel.
His condition reportedly deteriorated after taking the drugs, prompting a request for him to be transferred to a hospital outside the camp.
However, Afeez alleged that approval for the transfer came too late and that Daniel died before receiving further medical attention.
NANS Raises Allegation of Fake Medication
Afeez said NANS was informed that a doctor later identified the medication administered to Daniel as fake.
“We were further informed that the doctor later identified the drugs administered to him as fake. These are deeply troubling allegations that require a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his tragic death,” Afeez said.
The allegation has raised concerns about the quality of medicines available in medical facilities and the procedures used to assess and treat corps members who become ill during orientation.
However, the reported identification of the drugs as counterfeit has not been independently confirmed in publicly available information. An official investigation would be needed to establish the medication’s authenticity and determine whether it contributed to Daniel’s death.
Questions Over Delayed Medical Transfer
The account provided by NANS has also raised questions about the reported delay in transferring Daniel to a hospital outside the orientation camp.
According to Afeez, Daniel requested further medical attention after his condition worsened, but the approval required for the transfer allegedly came too late.
The circumstances have prompted concerns about the speed of emergency referrals, the availability of medical personnel and the procedures governing access to outside healthcare at NYSC camps.
Establishing whether any delay affected the outcome would require a review of the medical records, the timeline of events and statements from the personnel involved.
NYSC Enugu Secretariat Yet to Respond
Media organisations, including Sahara Reporters, reportedly contacted the NYSC Enugu secretariat for comments on Daniel’s death, the allegations concerning the medication and the reported delay in his transfer.
The secretariat had not responded at the time of reporting.
No independent public confirmation had established the precise medical cause of death or verified that the medication administered to Daniel was counterfeit.
The absence of an official response leaves important questions unanswered, including the treatment provided, the decision-making process surrounding the requested transfer and whether an internal review has commenced.
NANS Mourns Former Student Leader
NANS described Daniel’s death as a painful loss and extended condolences to his family, the Akwa Ibom State University community, fellow corps members and the wider NYSC community.
The association said it was mourning while awaiting further information before determining its next steps.
Daniel’s death has also generated reactions on social media, where users expressed condolences and called for accountability. Some commenters linked the incident to broader concerns about public healthcare, drug regulation and the protection of young Nigerians serving through the NYSC programme.
Other reactions focused on the need to ensure that corps members can access prompt and appropriate medical care when they fall ill during orientation.
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Death Renews Concerns Over NYSC Camp Medical Care
The incident has renewed public attention on medical protocols at NYSC orientation camps and the wider problem of substandard and counterfeit medicines in Nigeria.
Orientation camps bring together large numbers of young Nigerians for several weeks of activities, making access to qualified medical personnel, reliable medicines and effective emergency referral systems important aspects of corps members’ welfare.
The allegations surrounding Daniel’s death remain to be established. A transparent investigation could help determine the sequence of events, verify the medication administered and establish whether any failures in medical care or emergency response occurred.
For Daniel’s family and the university community, answers about what happened remain central to the calls for accountability.
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