A Nigerian woman, Orlanthi Akinyemi, died in the UK shortly after she reportedly arrived there for her son’s graduation.
Punch Metro has learned that a fundraising campaign has been launched on JustGiving to raise £20,000 to repatriate her body to Nigeria and cover related costs. As of Wednesday, £2,087 had been raised from 97 donors.
In an appeal posted on the platform, Adekunle Ogundana said the funds would be used for repatriation and funerals.
“Please help us bring home our sister, mother, friend and beloved Mrs. Olulanti Olufunmilayo Esther Akinyemi (nee Oluwalana/Ogundana),” he wrote.
According to the post, Akinyemi traveled to the UK to attend her son’s graduation ceremony, but suffered cardiac arrest less than 20 hours after arriving.
“She suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of the night and was rushed to Luton Dunstable Hospital. After three days on life support, she was pronounced clinically dead,” the statement said.
The family said the incident was sudden and shocking and they urgently needed funds to repatriate the body to Nigeria, settle outstanding medical bills in the UK and cover funeral costs.
Ms Akinyemi is believed to be a mother of four and reportedly arrived in the UK on February 11 ahead of her graduation ceremony scheduled for February 18.
UK-based X user @DHKRULLAH, who shared the donation link, said he went into cardiac arrest on February 12 and remained in a coma for three days before being pronounced dead on February 14, 2026.
Following the incident, some social media users advised families to take preventative health measures when their elderly relatives travel abroad.
One user, @agu_i, urged travelers to stay hydrated, avoid excess alcohol and caffeine, move around during long flights, and consider wearing compression socks to help with blood circulation.
“These help keep blood circulation active and warm enough to welcome the cold weather. This is not the first time we have lost a parent to the cold hands of death in similar circumstances,” the post reads.
Another user, @The4thTobs, detailed a similar incident involving a woman who reportedly collapsed after arriving in the UK for childcare assistance.
“A few years ago, a woman I knew well at Sangotedo Market passed away like this. Her daughter gave birth overseas and went in search of omguo.
“They said she collapsed as soon as she got off the plane on landing and was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead,” @The4thTobs pointed out.
User @iamSwagga22 called for increased medical cooperation between health authorities and the aviation industry to address travel-related health emergencies.
“If Nigeria were a serious and sensible country, they should have a pulmonary embolism team working diligently with the aviation industry to develop guidelines.” @iamSwagga22.
The incident comes amid reports of other Nigerian deaths in the UK, including Sabri Adeniji, who passed away after battling severe brainstem injuries.
