“My Brother Struggled for Four Years to Gain Admission, Died 24 Hours After Convocation” — Sister

The joy of graduation turned into unimaginable grief for the family of Oluwatomisin Ishola, a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, who died less than 24 hours after celebrating his convocation.

For his younger sister, Olayinka Ishola, the memories remain painful and difficult to comprehend. What was meant to mark the beginning of a promising future suddenly became the end of a journey defined by resilience, determination, and hope.

Oluwatomisin, 28, graduated with a degree in Science Laboratory Technology on April 22, 2026. According to his family, he appeared healthy and full of excitement throughout the convocation ceremony.

“We celebrated together as a family. My mother, younger siblings and I were there with him. He was happy and excited. There was no sign that anything was wrong,” Olayinka recalled.

After the ceremony, the family returned home where they continued the celebration. They shared meals, watched movies, chatted late into the evening, and reflected on the long road that had finally led to graduation.

The following morning, Oluwatomisin woke up and informed his sister that he was heading to the football field. Football was his greatest passion and he had been looking forward to participating in a match after missing previous games due to convocation activities.

Before leaving, he requested that beans be prepared for him.

“He told me to cook beans for him because he would be back soon. I never imagined that would be the last conversation we would have,” she said.

As the family waited for his return, calls began pouring into his phone, which he had left behind. Friends and acquaintances repeatedly asked about his whereabouts. Soon afterward, disturbing messages started circulating on social media.

One of his acquaintances arrived and informed the family that a photograph of Oluwatomisin was being shared online with the inscription “RIP.”

Initially, the family dismissed the reports as false.

“We could not believe it. The photograph being circulated was from his convocation photoshoot taken just the previous day. We thought it was a mistake,” Olayinka recounted.

The devastating reality became clearer when relatives, teammates, and friends began gathering around the family.

According to eyewitness accounts, Oluwatomisin never got the chance to play football that morning. He reportedly became weak while on the field, collapsed suddenly, and could not be revived.

The tragic incident occurred only hours after he had celebrated the academic milestone he spent years pursuing.

His sister described him as a quiet, gentle, hardworking, and friendly young man who avoided conflicts and maintained a close circle of friends.

“He was kind and peaceful. He loved football with all his heart and always wanted the best for everyone around him,” she said.

The loss has become even more heartbreaking considering the struggles he endured before gaining admission into the university.

According to Olayinka, Oluwatomisin spent about four years seeking admission into higher institutions. During that period, he attended a College of Nursing, participated in a pre degree programme at Ahmadu Bello University, and worked as a teacher while continuing to pursue his academic dreams.

His persistence eventually paid off when he secured admission into LAUTECH.

Even then, challenges continued. At one point, his name reportedly disappeared from the university’s records, creating fears that his academic journey might be cut short. Thankfully, the issue was resolved and he continued his studies.

Throughout his university years, he remained industrious and entrepreneurial. He engaged in buying and selling mobile phones and later learned phone repairs to support himself financially.

His graduation marked the beginning of another ambitious chapter. He had already developed plans to establish a phone and accessories business, with invoices worth nearly N2 million prepared for stock purchases.

“He had everything planned out. He showed us the invoices and talked about opening his own shop after graduation. We were all excited for him,” his sister said.

Beyond business, Oluwatomisin also nurtured dreams of pursuing a football career abroad. According to family members, arrangements were underway for him to travel to Italy in May 2026 to explore football opportunities.

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Sadly, those dreams were never realized.

Today, the family continues to struggle with the reality of his sudden death.

“It has been very difficult, especially for our mother. She cries every day. Sometimes I still see him in my dreams, smiling and playing with me. Then I wake up and remember he is gone,” Olayinka said.

For Oluwatomisin, graduation was more than a ceremony. It was the fulfilment of a dream forged through years of rejection, sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering faith. He had endured four difficult years seeking admission, overcome academic hurdles, supported himself through school, and carefully mapped out a future filled with promise.

Yet, just as the doors of opportunity finally swung open, fate dealt a devastating blow. The young man who proudly wore his graduation gown, celebrated with loved ones, planned a new business venture, and looked forward to pursuing a football career abroad would never live to see those dreams become reality.

Today, his convocation photographs have become treasured memories of a life cut tragically short. While his family mourns an irreplaceable loss, they also remember a determined young man whose courage, resilience, and optimism inspired everyone around him. Though Oluwatomisin’s journey ended far too soon, the legacy of his perseverance and the impact of his life will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

In the cruel irony of life, the celebration that marked the end of his academic struggles became his final farewell. But beyond the tears and unanswered questions remains the story of a young dreamer who refused to give up, a graduate who conquered every obstacle before him, and a beloved son and brother whose memory will endure long after the applause of convocation has faded.