In the late 1990s, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, one of Nigeria’s most respected institutions, was shaken by a brutal and unforgettable tragedy — the murder of George Iwilade, popularly known by his nickname “Africa.” He was the Secretary-General of the Students’ Union, a brilliant student, activist, and symbol of justice on campus. His death on July 10, 1999, at the hands of cultists, marked one of the darkest moments in Nigerian university history.
Africa was known across OAU for his intelligence, courage, and outspoken defense of students’ rights. He stood fearlessly against cultism and oppression, earning respect from his peers and fear from those who thrived on violence and intimidation. But his commitment to justice made him a target. On that fateful night, around 4:30 a.m., armed cultists invaded the Awolowo Hall — the heart of student life — shooting and attacking innocent students in cold blood. Their mission was clear: silence Africa and strike fear into the student body.
When the chaos ended, the campus was left in shock. Africa and several other students lay dead, their blood staining the very halls that once echoed with chants of solidarity and activism. The killers fled into the night, but the pain and outrage they left behind burned deep in the hearts of students, parents, and the entire nation. The OAU community erupted in protest, demanding justice and an end to cult violence on campuses across Nigeria.
The government and university authorities launched investigations, and some suspects were arrested, but justice moved slowly. Despite multiple reports, court hearings, and media coverage, many believed that the full truth about Africa’s death was never completely revealed. His assassination exposed the dangerous web of cultism that had infiltrated Nigerian higher institutions — a menace that continues to threaten lives and education even today.
The murder of George “Africa” Iwilade remains a symbol of resistance and courage in the face of evil. His name lives on as a reminder that the fight against campus cultism, corruption, and violence must never end. Every July 10, those who remember him still say: “Africa may be dead, but his spirit of truth and justice lives on.”
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