London Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic as Nigerian Graduate Dies From Asthma Attack

A birthday gathering in London has ended in tragedy following the death of 26-year-old Nigerian international student Obanyeli Jesse Chima, who suffered an asthma attack while meeting friends to celebrate their birthdays.

Chima had recently completed a master’s degree in Public Health and was awaiting his graduation when he died on September 25, several days after the medical emergency.

MyLondon reported that the incident occurred on Saturday, September 19, when Chima met his friend, Eva, and her partner for a birthday celebration. The three had planned to spend time together because their birthdays fell on consecutive days.

While they were waiting in a lounge, Chima reportedly told Eva that he needed to step outside for air because he was having an asthma attack.

He struggled to breathe and tried using three inhalers he had with him, but the medication did not ease his symptoms.

Eva immediately contacted emergency services. However, Chima collapsed while she was speaking to the ambulance operator.

According to Eva, their friend started CPR under the guidance of emergency personnel. Several ambulances arrived, and medical teams spent approximately two hours trying to stabilise Chima’s heart before transporting him to hospital.

He was placed on life support, and his friends initially believed he might recover. Eva said doctors later informed them that his condition was not improving.

“They eventually did a brain test on him and confirmed that he was brain-dead. On September 25, we lost him,” she told MyLondon.

The loss was particularly painful for Eva because the friends had been looking forward to celebrating their birthdays together.

“The weekend he suffered was the only weekend we all had free – all our birthdays are in September. He, my partner, and I all have our birthdays one day after another. That weekend was our chance to hang out, but instead we ended up at the hospital,” she said.

Chima’s death also cut short plans for his graduation, which his family had been preparing for after he completed his master’s degree.

“His family had saved money for his graduation, and now that money needs to be used to bury their child. It’s horrible,” Eva said.

The Nigerian student had built friendships in London after leaving Nigeria to pursue his education. He also worked at Chelsea Football Club, the team he supported.

Eva remembered him as a “beloved and cherished friend who was the life of the party”. She said his sudden death had left friends shocked, especially as he had been considered physically fit.

Chima leaves behind three siblings in Nigeria, while his family is working to arrange the return of his body for burial.

Eva and other friends have since started a fundraising campaign to help pay for the repatriation of his remains, mortuary fees and other associated expenses.

She said the initiative was intended to ease the financial pressure on Chima’s family, who had been expecting to celebrate his academic success rather than arrange his burial.

“We’re trying our best to see what we can raise. His family were planning for graduation. As international students, it’s tough already. We want to help take the burden off his family. Nobody has money saved up to bury a child,” Eva said.

According to her, Chima’s father made enquiries about burying him in the UK, but the family decided that returning his body to Nigeria would allow relatives to see him before he was laid to rest.

“The family want to see his body before they lay him to rest, so returning him to Nigeria makes more sense; he should be closer to home,” she added.

Eva is hoping to raise between £7,000 and £9,000 to cover the expenses of bringing Chima’s body back to Nigeria.

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