The death of Douglas Izevbigie, a Nigerian student in the United Kingdom, has reignited concerns about chronic illnesses among Nigerians living abroad, prompting a fundraising appeal to support his burial.
According to PUNCH Metro, a GoFundMe campaign was created following Douglas’ death on January 21 at a UK hospital after a battle with aggressive leukaemia. The fundraiser, widely shared among Nigerians in the UK, was organised by a woman named Sephora, who said the funds would help Douglas’ sister, Kate, and their family cover funeral and related expenses.
Sephora, who described herself as Kate’s colleague, said Douglas, 37, moved to the UK in 2024 to pursue a master’s degree at Sheffield Hallam University.
“Midway through his studies last year, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia. He underwent treatment and was frequently in and out of the hospital due to complications,” she explained. “Even through it all, he continued trying to keep up with his studies, showing remarkable strength and determination.”
Tragically, Douglas died after being found unwell and unresponsive in his room by his sister. He was rushed to A&E, but despite urgent medical care, he passed away.
Sephora highlighted the particular impact on Kate, who had recently lost their mother in Nigeria and had been Douglas’ main support system throughout his illness.
“Kate supported Douglas throughout his time in the UK, including helping to fund his travel and being his primary support while he battled illness far from home,” she said.
Due to the high cost of repatriating his remains, the family plans to bury Douglas in the UK, underscoring the purpose of the fundraising campaign.
Following the news of his death, Nigerians on social media expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend of chronic illnesses among Nigerians living in the UK.
Modupe Adeboye-Ayoroh tweeted: “Now this is the height of ‘too many’ Nigerians in the UK falling sick with chronic illnesses and passing away shortly after. Can doctors look into this pattern and educate people on what could be the causes, if it can be avoided for others?”
Another user, @EmperorJakarta, advised Nigerians relocating to the UK to prioritise medical check-ups: “Every Nigerian that comes to the UK should be encouraged to immediately register with a GP and do full body checks, including all organs, to ensure there aren’t underlying issues that need to be treated or managed.”
Tributes poured in from acquaintances, with one writing: “My coursemate in school. Douglas, your passing is a serious loss to us. May God grant your family the fortitude to bear this loss.” Another, Olumide Adeyemi, questioned the trend: “I don’t know if it is just me, but I have seen so many Nigerians get diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK. Is it that the disease doesn’t get detected in Nigeria, or what they consume over there?”
Douglas’ death comes less than five days after another Nigerian in the UK, Saburi Adeniji, passed away following a severe brain stem injury. Adeniji, a footballer and left winger for Kings Park Rangers Football Club in Suffolk, died after being in intensive care, with arrangements made for his family to travel to the UK.
These incidents have sparked renewed conversations within the Nigerian diaspora about health awareness, early diagnosis, and access to medical care abroad.
