Nigerian Mother Dies in UK Hospital Weeks After Childbirth

Damilola Balogun, a Nigerian mother who gave birth five months ago, has died in a United Kingdom hospital following surgery.

Her passing was confirmed by a member of the Nigerian community in the UK, @Dhkrullah, in a post on X on Sunday.

A fundraising campaign set up on GoFundMe by Omowumi Adetifa to support her family has raised £3,506 of a £5,500 target from 245 donors as of this report. The appeal describes Balogun as “a loving wife, a devoted mother, and the main applicant for her family on a skilled worker visa,” and notes the devastating timing of her death shortly after childbirth.

According to the statement, Balogun initially sought treatment at Walsall Manor Hospital for severe migraines and was discharged. She returned three days later with persistent symptoms but was again sent home. Two weeks later, her condition worsened, leading to hospital admission.

Doctors discovered “water on her brain” following an MRI scan and lumbar puncture. She was referred urgently to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for surgery. While the operation was initially successful, she fell into a coma three days later. Despite life support and medical intervention, she passed away on January 1, 2026.

Balogun is survived by her husband, three children aged 11, 10, and five months, as well as her mother and grandmother. The fundraising appeal highlights that her husband has been unable to work during her illness, and the family now faces funeral costs and raising their children without her.

Supporters and members of the Nigerian community have expressed condolences on social media. @OluomoofDerby urged vigilance about health, noting the risk of severe illness among younger adults. @Enigmalik criticized systemic delays in accessing healthcare, while @jhazzy_music highlighted the importance of life insurance for families living abroad.

Balogun’s death reflects a broader concern for the wellbeing of Nigerians living in the UK, amid reports of illness and sudden deaths in academic and professional settings.