Accidents related to smartphone use while charging represent an often underestimated danger. Modern mobile devices, although sophisticated, pose significant electrical risks when connected to the power grid, particularly in adverse weather conditions or with faulty electrical installations. Safety experts regularly warn about the dangers of handling a phone while charging, especially during storms. Household electrical circuits can conduct dangerous power surges during phenomena such as lightning, transforming an everyday gesture into a potentially deadly situation. Several cases of electrocution related to smartphones have been documented in recent years, often in similar circumstances: use during charging and the presence of an external triggering element such as a storm.
A sudden tragedy on a university campus
A tragedy occurred on Friday, April 18, 2025, in the city of Ilesa, Nigeria. Gbolahan Ojolo, a first-year student (level 100) of Business Administration at the University of Ilesa, in Osun State, lost his life in tragic circumstances. The young man was in his room located in a private residence near the Prototype Engineering Development Institute junction when he was electrocuted. According to information confirmed by the university administration, Gbolahan was playing a game on his mobile phone while it was charging. A violent storm was raging in the region, and lightning reportedly caused a fatal power surge.
The accident dramatically illustrates the dangers of using electronic devices connected to the power grid during bad weather. Storms, particularly violent in sub-Saharan Africa, can generate considerable voltage spikes in electrical installations, especially when they are not equipped with suitable protection devices. This phenomenon, well known to specialists, often remains ignored by users, who continue to handle their devices while charging without being aware of the potential danger.
Immediate response from the university
Faced with this tragedy, the administration of the University of Ilesa reacted quickly. Funso Ojo, the Registrar of the university, issued an official statement on Saturday, April 19, the day after the tragedy. In this declaration, the institution expressed its deep regret regarding the “tragic and untimely death” of the student. University authorities immediately alerted the police, who began a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident.
After obtaining the necessary authorizations, Gbolahan’s remains were transported to the morgue of Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa. The university also made arrangements to support the bereaved family during this particularly difficult time. “The entire University community mourns this painful loss and prays for the repose of Gbolahan’s soul,” states the release, adding that “our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, classmates, and the Department of Business Administration.”
Prevention and awareness: Essential measures
This tragedy highlights the urgent need for awareness campaigns aimed at young people regarding the risks associated with the use of electronic devices. Student residences, often densely populated and sometimes equipped with aging electrical installations, constitute particularly vulnerable environments. The simple installation of surge protectors and residual current circuit breakers could significantly reduce the risk of similar accidents.
The tragedy at the University of Ilesa also underscores the importance of adopting cautious behaviors during storms: unplugging electronic devices, avoiding handling them while charging, and refraining from using the electrical network until the bad weather has passed. These elementary precautions, if widely disseminated and applied, would prevent numerous accidents. Educational institutions have a crucial role to play in this risk education, especially among ultra-connected younger generations who often live in symbiosis with their digital devices.
The death of Gbolahan Ojolo brutally reminds us that technology, despite its benefits, can become deadly when safety conditions are not met. A simple game on a charging phone during a storm turned into an irreversible tragedy, leaving a family and an entire university community in mourning. Beyond the legitimate emotion aroused by this drama, it is essential to draw the necessary lessons to prevent future similar tragedies.
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