26-year-old Nigerian Masters student awaiting graduation dies after suffering asthma attack in UK

A 26-year-old Nigerian student who was preparing to celebrate his birthday suddenly passed away in London, United Kingdom after suffering an asthma attack while his friends helplessly watched on. 

Obanyeli Jesse Chima had recently finished his studies and was set to celebrate his birthday with his friends, MyLondon reported on October 2026.

On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Chima was meeting up with his friend Eva and her partner to celebrate their birthdays together. 

As he was waiting in the lounge, Chima told his friend he needed to go outside for some air because he was having an asthma attack.

His friend called an ambulance, yet while his friend was on the phone with the operator, he collapsed. 

As he was waiting in the lounge, Chima told his friend he needed to go outside for some air because he was having an asthma attack.

Eva told MyLondon: “Our friend started CPR after being guided by the ambulance operators. Multiple ambulances came, and they spent around two hours working on him to stabilise his heart. They finally got him to the hospital and told us he's on life support. They said he might only have memory loss, but he will be fine.”

"Two days later, they said he's not getting better. There was no improvement. They eventually did a brain test on him and confirmed that he was brain-dead. On September 25, we lost him. It's horrible because we were just laughing, and four days later, we had to see his lifeless body.

“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.”

Chima had only recently completed his master's degree in Public Health and was awaiting graduation. 

"His family had saved money for his graduation, and now that money needs to be used to bury their child. It's horrible", Eva continued.

Chima and Eva became friends because they had both left Nigeria to study in London. 

Chima had worked at Chelsea Football Club, the team he supported, and Eva described him as a 'beloved and cherished friend who was the life of the party." 

Friends are now trying to raise enough money to transport his body to Nigeria do his family can finally lay him to rest. 

A GoFundMe account was set up by Eva, to raise £9,000 for repatriating his body to Nigeria. 

“Our £9,000 target will help cover the necessary arrangements and transportation to return Jesses body to Nigeria for burial. The money raise will be given to Jesse's father to help pay for these arrangements,” the statement partly read. 

“Your contribution will bring us closer to bring Jesse home and ease the financial burden on his family.”