A 300-level Computer Science student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), identified simply as Kelvin, has reportedly died following severe financial difficulties linked to betting, accommodation obligations, and mounting debts.
A former roommate of the deceased, who spoke to Newsmen on Tuesday on condition of anonymity, said Kelvin had been struggling financially after taking on responsibilities beyond his capacity.
According to the source, both students lived together during their first year in 2024 before Kelvin decided to move out and live alone. Despite no longer sharing accommodation, they remained in contact and occasionally met on campus.
“He once asked me for help with accommodation because getting a lodge was very expensive and difficult,” the former roommate said.
The source explained that he was in Minna when news of Kelvin’s death reached him. He added that residents of Kelvin’s lodge, known as Justice Lodge in the Student Villa area of Lapai, told him that the landlord had appointed Kelvin as the caretaker of the facility.
“They said the landlord made him caretaker and he was collecting rent on his behalf. I’m not sure of the exact amount, but they claimed he used the money for betting,” he said, adding that he initially found the story hard to believe.
Further findings revealed that Kelvin lived off-campus and was entrusted by the landlord to collect rent from student occupants.
However, the situation reportedly became complicated after he allegedly lost a large sum of money through betting, while facing pressure to remit rent already collected and settle other financial obligations.
A campus source disclosed that shortly before his death, Kelvin transferred N100,000 to the landlord, explaining that issues with a virtual bank network delayed the transfer of the remaining funds.
“He had about N570,000 at the time before sending N100,000 to the landlord, assuring him that he would send the balance once the network issue was resolved,” the source said.
Students familiar with the matter further claimed that Kelvin’s troubles extended beyond betting losses and rent remittance.
They alleged that he also owed several students money after collecting funds from them with promises to secure accommodation, as he was reportedly acting as a housing agent while schooling.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
