A Nigerian woman, Mrs. Damilola Balogun, has died in a United Kingdom hospital barely five months after giving birth, prompting an outpouring of grief and a fundraising appeal by members of the Nigerian community abroad.
Balogun was confirmed dead on January 1, 2026, following complications after a surgical procedure.
News of her passing was made public on Sunday by a UK-based Nigerian, identified on X as @Dhkrullah.
Following the development, a GoFundMe campaign launched to support her family has attracted donations from sympathisers, raising over £3,500 of a £5,500 target within 24 hours.
According to information shared by the organisers, Balogun, described as a devoted wife and mother, was the principal applicant for her family’s skilled worker visa in the UK.
What began as a routine health complaint reportedly escalated into a prolonged medical emergency.
She was said to have initially sought medical attention at Walsall Manor Hospital after experiencing persistent migraines and was discharged twice before being admitted weeks later when the symptoms failed to subside.
Further medical examinations, including scans and procedures, reportedly revealed fluid pressure in her brain, leading to her referral to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, where she underwent surgery.
Although the operation was initially described as successful, her condition deteriorated days later, and she was placed on life support. She was pronounced dead on New Year’s Day after doctors confirmed she could not recover.
Balogun is survived by her husband, three children aged 11 years, 10 years and five months, as well as her mother and grandmother.
The appeal organisers said her husband had been unable to work throughout her hospitalisation, adding that the family’s savings had been depleted while facing funeral expenses and the responsibility of caring for the children.
Meanwhile, tributes and condolences have continued to pour in from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, with many calling for greater awareness around healthcare advocacy and financial preparedness for families living abroad.