UNILAG Mourns as Student Drowns After Attempting Backflip at the Beach

The University of Lagos community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of a young student who drowned after being swept away by strong ocean waves during an outing with friends. The victim, identified as Balogun Damilola, popularly known among peers as Ayanfé Eledumare, was a student of the Faculty of Education and had only recently risen to prominence after being elected as President of his faculty.

The heartbreaking incident reportedly occurred when Damilola and some of his classmates decided to spend the evening at the beach to unwind after a stressful academic period. According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the group was enjoying themselves when Damilola decided to attempt a backflip while asking a friend to record the moment on video. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in a matter of seconds as a sudden strong wave swept him away before his companions could react.

The devastating news was first shared by Twitter user Dr Farouk (@DrPharouk), who wrote, “I just heard some UNILAG students (Faculty of Education) went to the beach to chill, and in the evening one of them decided to do a backflip and asked another guy to record him. Unfortunately, the wave carried him away, and now he’s gone. This is really sad.”

Almost immediately, tributes began to pour in from shocked colleagues, friends, and acquaintances who found it difficult to accept the sudden demise of the vibrant young man. Another user, DoyinDoski (@doski), who revealed he was Damilola’s roommate, shared a personal memory of the deceased. “He was my roommate. Always brought Lacoco and the likes to the room. A real vibe, man. And bro just became the President of his faculty from the VP last year. This life, man. RIP Balogun Damilola A (Ayanfé Eledumare).”

The UNILAG campus has since been enveloped in grief as students struggle to come to terms with the loss. Many described Damilola as a lively, energetic, and promising young leader whose charisma made him well-loved both within and outside his faculty. His tenure as Vice President last year had already endeared him to many, and his recent election as President was seen as the beginning of greater things to come.

For many students, the news is particularly painful because of the circumstances of his death—an outing meant for relaxation turned into a nightmare that claimed the life of one of their brightest. Students have been sharing memories of his friendliness, his leadership spirit, and the positive energy he carried everywhere he went. One student, visibly emotional, recounted how Damilola never failed to check up on his coursemates and always made himself available to help others.

The tragic event has also sparked conversations about the dangers of recreational activities at Nigerian beaches, especially the lack of adequate safety measures such as lifeguards, warning signs, and emergency response teams. Some social media users lamented that such accidents could have been avoided if proper safety protocols were in place, noting that strong waves at Nigerian beaches have claimed several lives in the past.

Others have cautioned students and young people to be more mindful when engaging in risky stunts at the beach, pointing out that the thrill of social media content creation sometimes overshadows safety consciousness. “It’s really painful because this was avoidable. One second of trying to make a video for the gram, and a whole future is gone,” one Twitter user wrote.

As the university community mourns, many are also calling for counseling and emotional support for the deceased’s close friends, coursemates, and family members who are grappling with the weight of the loss. Sources say his faculty has been working on organizing a memorial service to honor his life and contributions, while students are already planning candlelight processions in his memory.

The grief has gone beyond the university walls, as alumni and members of the wider Nigerian student community have also expressed their condolences. Many described the incident as a stark reminder of how fragile life is, especially for young people who often seem invincible until tragedy strikes.

While official details from the university management regarding the circumstances and aftermath of the drowning are still being awaited, tributes have continued to flood social media timelines. Friends have been sharing photos and videos of Damilola during happier times, celebrating his energy, his music preferences, and his unwavering optimism about the future.

One tribute particularly stood out as a fellow student wrote: “You can never enter a room with Damilola inside and not feel his energy. He was laughter itself. Always pushing everyone to do better. It hurts that death came so suddenly and stole such a bright light from us. May his soul rest in peace.”

Damilola’s tragic passing is yet another painful loss that has left the UNILAG community shaken. For a young man whose star was only beginning to shine, the wave that took him away has left behind waves of sorrow among all who knew him. As his family, friends, and colleagues grieve, the story of his life and the suddenness of his death will remain a cautionary tale about the importance of safety and the unpredictability of life.

The young leader, once full of dreams and promises, will now be remembered not just for the office he held or the position he attained, but for the joy, vibrancy, and energy he spread to everyone around him. His name, Ayanfé Eledumare, will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved him, as the UNILAG community says goodbye to one of its brightest sons, taken far too soon by the sea.