A Nigerian postgraduate student, Douglas Izevbigie, has died in the United Kingdom following treatment for an aggressive form of leukaemia, and his family has launched a fundraising appeal to cover burial and related costs, members of the Nigerian community in the UK said.
Izevbigie, 37, travelled to the United Kingdom in 2024 to pursue a master’s degree at Sheffield Hallam University, organisers of the appeal said.
The GoFundMe appeal, shared among Nigerians in the UK, is intended to assist his sister, Kate, and their family with funeral and associated expenses.
According to the appeal organiser, identified only as Sephora, Izevbigie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia during his studies and had been frequently in and out of hospital due to complications.
Sephora said Izevbigie died on January 21 at a UK hospital after his health deteriorated.
The fundraising message noted that his sister, Kate, had been his primary support throughout his illness while living abroad.
Members of the Nigerian diaspora community in the UK have expressed concern on social media over what they described as a growing number of chronic illness cases among Nigerians living in the country.
The appeal launched by the community reflects efforts to mobilise financial support for funeral arrangements for Izevbigie amid high costs of burial and repatriation in the UK.
Reactions by community members on social media have highlighted personal accounts and observations related to health challenges faced by Nigerians living abroad.
