The tragic death of a 19-year-old girl in Lagos, identified by neighbors as Timilehin, has sparked renewed calls for stronger mental health support for students facing academic pressure.
Timilehin, described as quiet and full of promise, reportedly took her own life after seeing her 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result.
She scored 190—lower than her previous year’s result—and was said to have become deeply distressed.
She had been living with her older sibling in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, and was originally from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The incident has drawn widespread grief and concern from the community, with many pointing fingers at the examination body.
Mental health professionals, however, are urging a more systemic and compassionate response to the challenges students face.
Michael Jacob, psychotherapist and founder of Emotion Compass Academy, emphasized in a conversation with PUNCH Metro that academic performance should never be tied to a person’s self-worth.
“To every student struggling right now, please understand: your value is not defined by a number on a result slip,” Jacob said. “The UTME is only one path. If that one closes, others remain—but you must still be here to walk through them.”
He warned against equating poor test scores with personal failure. “Failing a test does not mean you are a failure—it means you tried. You are still learning.
In those moments, what’s needed isn’t shame but compassion and a plan,” he added.
Jacob urged young people to seek help rather than suffer in silence.
“Speak to someone you trust—a counsellor, therapist, parent, or teacher. Talking isn’t weakness. Asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do.”
Mental health psychologist Patricia Udosen also weighed in, highlighting the intense emotional pressure students face during exam periods. She emphasized the importance of processing disappointment in healthy ways.
“It’s normal to feel sadness or frustration after falling short of expectations,” she said. “But students should know that failure isn’t final.
With the right support and mindset, they can bounce back stronger.”
Udosen also called on parents to offer emotional support and reassurance. “Listen to your children without judgment. Focus on their effort, not just the outcome.
Remind them that setbacks are part of the journey to success.”
Clinical psychologist Hammed Lateefat echoed these sentiments, urging society to normalise failure as a part of life.
“We all face failure at some point,” she said. “It’s important that young people understand this and don’t let it damage their mental health.
Instead, they should learn from their mistakes and keep moving forward.”
In response to growing public concern, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced on Monday that it is reviewing the 2025 UTME results.
According to a statement by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board is conducting an expedited post-exam review following a surge in complaints from candidates and parents.
