Photo: Five Months After Childbirth, Nigerian Woman Dies In UK

A Nigerian woman, Damilola Balogun, who gave birth about five months ago, has been confirmed dead at a hospital in the United Kingdom shortly after undergoing surgery.

A member of the Nigerian community in the UK, identified as @Dhkrullah, announced her death in a post shared on X on Sunday.

According to PUNCH Metro, a GoFundMe account set up on Saturday by Omowumi Adetifa to support the bereaved family had raised £3,506 out of a £5,500 target from 245 donations as of the time of filing this report.

The fundraising appeal read in part, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Damilola Balogun on the 1st of January 2026. Damilola was a loving wife, a devoted mother, and the main applicant for her family on a skilled worker visa.

“Just five months ago, she welcomed her beautiful baby into the world. What should have been a time of joy soon turned into a painful and tragic journey no family should endure.”

According to the statement, Damilola initially complained of severe migraines and visited Walsall Manor Hospital, where she was treated and discharged.

“Three days later, she returned with the same symptoms, but no cause was found, and she was sent home again. Two weeks later, the headaches persisted, and this time she was admitted,” the appeal stated.

Doctors reportedly administered antibiotics and conducted an MRI scan and a lumbar puncture, which revealed “water on her brain.”

She was subsequently referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, for urgent surgery.

“The surgery was initially successful, and there was hope,” the statement said, before tragedy struck days later.

“Three days later, Damilola went into a coma and was placed on life support. Despite all medical efforts and prayers, it was confirmed that she could not recover. On the morning of 1st January 2026, the life support machine was switched off,” the appeal read.

“While others were welcoming the first day of a new year in celebration, this family was plunged into unbearable grief.”

Damilola is survived by her husband, three children aged 11 years, 10 years and five months, as well as her mother and grandmother.

The appeal noted that since her hospitalisation, her husband had been unable to work, having stayed by her side throughout the ordeal.

“Their savings have been completely exhausted, and the family is now facing funeral costs and the immense responsibility of raising three children without their mother,” it added.

The organisers appealed for support, saying donations would help cover funeral expenses, provide immediate support for the children, and ease the financial burden on the family.

Tributes and condolences have continued to pour in from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.

An X user, @OluomoofDerby, wrote, “We have to put more pressure on our local GP and speak up whenever our bodies don’t feel right. I attended four funerals last year, and three were for men under 40. That reality is deeply worrying. RIP Damilola.”

Another user, @Enigmalik, lamented delays in healthcare access, saying, “They minify your symptoms, ask you to come back if symptoms persist or put you on a six- to 12-month waiting list for scans. It is ridiculous at times.”

Also reacting, @jhazzy_music advised families abroad to consider life insurance, noting that it could help cushion financial shocks in tragic situations.