Babcock University, located in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has rejected allegations made by a parent, Mrs. Fijabi Omotayo, claiming that her son, Oladipupo Siwajuola, had gone missing on campus.
In an official statement released on Monday and signed by the university’s Director of Communication and Public Relations, Dr. Joshua Suleiman, the institution described the claims as misleading and damaging to its reputation.
The university stated that it is considering legal action for defamation due to what it called a “sensational and baseless” portrayal of events on social media.
According to the university, Oladipupo—who is enrolled in the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) programme—left campus without authorization and failed to follow the school’s official exit procedures.
“The student left the campus without the required clearance or permission from university authorities,” the statement noted.
Babcock also pointed to unverified reports that Oladipupo was later found in Akute, Ogun State, near the location of his former secondary school.
The school further revealed that his roommates had previously expressed concern about his behavior, which included the use of traditional bathing items such as black soap and a local sponge. These items reportedly caused discomfort among his peers and raised suspicions, as Babcock enforces strict regulations against items considered fetish or unconventional on campus.
The student’s mother had explained that the items were prescribed for a skin condition and included natural ingredients such as lemon, turmeric, and neem. However, the university claimed that this explanation did not satisfy the concerns raised.
Additionally, the institution accused Mrs. Fijabi of attempting to interfere with monitoring procedures by discouraging her son’s roommates from reporting his absence.
The school claimed it had evidence in the form of WhatsApp messages to support this.
Routine room inspections eventually exposed Oladipupo’s absence, and the case was subsequently reported to law enforcement for further investigation.
The university confirmed that Siwajuola and other involved individuals would face a disciplinary hearing to determine the appropriate response.
Babcock emphasized its right to seek legal redress if its reputation continues to be publicly undermined.
“Any attempt to malign the university through unverified or malicious claims will be met with appropriate legal action,” the statement read.
Mrs. Fijabi had taken to Facebook in an emotional livestream on Saturday, pleading with the public for assistance in finding her son, whom she said had been missing since Sunday, April 27. In earlier posts, she accused the university of hiding information and protecting students who were last seen with her son.
However, in a later update, she confirmed that her son had been found, though she declined to provide specific details on his whereabouts or how he was located.
