A Nigerian student in the United Kingdom, identified as Hammed, has passed away following complications from an advanced cancer diagnosis that worsened unexpectedly in recent weeks.
His death was announced through a GoFundMe campaign set up by Mariam Ajibola and Mohammed Chaanda on behalf of Piety Mosque, which had initially sought support for his treatment before being updated to raise funds for his burial.
According to the organisers, Hammed, a 36-year-old resident of Lagos originally from Ayete in Oyo State, travelled to the UK in September last year to begin a Master’s programme in Business and Management at the University of Plymouth.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year, they said he persevered through the physical and emotional challenges to complete his academic programme.
The appeal described him as the youngest of four children and the vibrant centre of his family, admired for his kindness, warmth and generosity.
His condition, however, reportedly deteriorated rapidly in the last few weeks, forcing a change in plans to return him to Nigeria so he could spend his final days with his loved ones.
Plans to fly him back to Nigeria so he could spend his final moments with his family were abandoned after doctors ruled that he was not medically stable enough to travel.
With repatriation ruled out, the organisers sought public support to ensure he received a dignified burial in the UK.
“We are raising funds to give Hammed a dignified burial,” the statement read, noting that every contribution would ease the burden on his grieving family.
Although the campaign targeted about £5,000 for a 50-year burial plot and coffin, donations had exceeded £6,000 as of Sunday, prompting the organisers to suspend further contributions.