UNILAG Student Drowns After Backflip Gone Awry At Lagos Beach

An undergraduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Damilola Balogun, has died from drowning following a backflip stunt at Eleko Beach in Lagos.

The tragic incident was said to have occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Lagos beach, after Damilola and his friends were said to have gone to Eleko Beach to have fun.

There were conflicting reports on the actual date of the accident as one account said it was Friday, September 19, and another account by the school management said it was Thursday, September 18.

An account stated that Damilola, who is a student in the Faculty of Education, asked a friend to record him while attempting the stunt. Moments later, a strong wave swept him away before help could reach him. Despite desperate rescue efforts, he could not be saved.

A medical doctor and social media user, Dr. Farouk, who first shared the news online, noted that Damilola’s body was recovered on Saturday morning at Museyo Beach, Ibeju-Lekki, about two kilometres from the spot of the incident.

The news has thrown the UNILAG community into mourning, with friends and fellow students flooding social media with tributes.

One colleague, Doyin Doski, described him as full of life, noting that he had only recently been elected President of his faculty after serving as Vice President.

A statement by the Director of Communications, UNILAG, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, confirmed the sad news and stated that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Folushade Ogunsola, has commiserated with the family.

“It is true, Mr Damilola Balogun, the Faculty of Education student, drowned off Eleko Beach on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on behalf of the entire University community, commiserates with his family, and prays that God grants the bereaved family the strength and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss,” she stated.