Campus News

Euthanasia, a truly controversial issue-Alabi

By: Bashirat Omotosho and Adewole Muizdeen

The Head of the Department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ade Stephen Alabi, has described euthanasia as a perpetually controversial and complex issue, saying that it has sparked intense and endless debates globally.

Prof. Alabi made this assertion last Wednesday (May 21,2025) while speaking at this year’s edition of the Annual Euthanasia Prevention Initiative Week at the Faculty of Law Moot Court, University of Ilorin.

According to Prof. Alabi, euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve him of suffering, pain, or distress, often due to a terminal illness or incurable conditions.

Prof. Alabi highlighted the different types of euthanasia, which includes voluntary, non-voluntary, active, and passive euthanasia.

He noted that voluntary euthanasia involves a person requesting to end his life, while non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when the person is unable to make decisions, and someone else makes the decision on his behalf.

Prof. Alabi noted that ‘the complexity of euthanasia is further compounded by the diverse factors that influence an individual’s ability to cope with end-of-life challenges, adding that emotional resilience is a crucial life skill that plays significant role in navigating these challenges.

He explained that emotional resilience has multifaceted nature, shaped by genetic predispositions, life experiences, personality traits, support systems, coping mechanisms, mental health, self-care practices, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural influences.

The don maintained that the interplay of these factors can either bolster or undermine an individual’s capacity to cope with challenges, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive approach to building and maintaining emotional resilience.

Prof. Alabi emphasised that the debate around euthanasia raises fundamental questions about autonomy, dignity, quality of life, and the role of medicine in end-of-life care. He also pointed out that laws and regulations regarding euthanasia vary widely across countries and jurisdictions, underscoring the complexity of the issue.

According to him, financial hardship and emotional distress can distort a person’s judgment, turning what should be a voluntary choice into one made under pressure or desperation. “We cannot have an ethical conversation about euthanasia in isolation from the realities of poverty, loneliness, and mental health,” he emphasised.

The Chairman of the Initiative, Prof. Bashir Omipidan, in his opening remarks, provided a nuanced exploration of the topic, encouraging attendees to think critically about the ethical, legal, and social implications of euthanasia.

Prof. Omipidan, who is a former Director of the Centre for Distance Learning (CoDL), University of  Ilorin, noted that the event marked another step in the Euthanasia Prevention Initiative Group’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the underlying issues influencing end-of-life decisions, and to promote a culture that values life even in the face of suffering.

The event encouraged participants from various backgrounds to reflect on personal and national experiences regarding euthanasia, with many advocating for preventive strategies rather than permissive legislations.

Present at the event included prominent legal luminaries such as Mr Bola Rasaq Gold, SAN; and Mr R. O. Bakare, Esq.; Dr Oluwabunmi Buhari, a renowned Consultant Psychiatrist; and Mrs Rukayat Abdulazeez, an expert in Public Law, among others.