A Nigerian cancer patient and social media personality, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X (formerly Twitter) as Aunty Esther, has died after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
News of her death emerged late Saturday after a social media user, Auntymuse (@AUNTYMUSE_), reacted to a post announcing her passing. Quoting an earlier message that read, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther. Very sad!”, Auntymuse wrote, “May her soul rest in peace.”
The confirmation triggered an outpouring of grief from Nigerians who had closely followed her health journey and treatment updates on social media.
The fundraiser who coordinated donations for her care, @Wizarab10, also confirmed the development, writing simply: “It is well. Peaceful rest to her.”
Aunty Esther’s death comes weeks after her medical case ignited a nationwide debate around faith, medical ethics and public fundraising. Earlier this month, her condition drew widespread attention after appeals were made on social media to raise funds for her cancer treatment.
Within days, Nigerians donated more than ₦30 million. As of December 1, 2025, @Wizarab10 disclosed that over ₦30.7 million had been raised, with a recorded balance of ₦30,776,252 at the time.
The controversy surrounding her treatment began when Aunty Esther declined a blood transfusion recommended by her doctors, citing her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. In a series of posts on X, she shared medical updates, stating that tests showed the cancer was limited to her breast and armpit, while her vital organs were unaffected.
She explained that doctors advised chemotherapy but recommended boosting her blood level first. According to her, her family opted for injections and nutritional support to improve her blood count, with plans to commence chemotherapy later.
Subsequently, @Wizarab10 revealed that Aunty Esther’s church had warned of possible disciplinary measures, including disfellowship, if she accepted a blood transfusion. He added that doctors presented two treatment options — one involving transfusion, which was faster and affordable within the available funds, and another that avoided transfusion but would take longer and cost more.
In line with her religious beliefs, Aunty Esther chose the second option.
The decision sparked intense reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning the justification for public fundraising when a potentially life-saving medical option was being declined.
Despite the criticism, @Wizarab10 maintained that all donations were used strictly for Aunty Esther’s treatment and welfare, regularly providing expense updates. These included a widely debated ₦74,000 soup and delivery cost, which he said was requested by Aunty Esther, who mainly consumed swallow.
Her death has once again brought to the fore sensitive conversations around religious beliefs, medical decisions and accountability in public health fundraising in Nigeria.
