Grief has enveloped the African nursing community as Nnena Miriam, a Nigerian nurse based in Leeds, United Kingdom, was found dead in her apartment earlier this week.
Her body was discovered by UK police following a missing person report filed by a concerned friend who had not heard from her since Sunday, her last known work shift.
The news was confirmed by Fellow Nurses Africa, an organisation committed to supporting and advancing the nursing profession across Africa. In a statement released on Wednesday, the group described the loss as “heartbreaking” and deeply shocking to colleagues in both Nigeria and the UK.
“Nurse Miriam was found dead in her room earlier this week under heartbreaking circumstances,” the statement read. “Alarm bells were raised when her close friend tried reaching her repeatedly from that Sunday without success.”
Miriam’s death comes at a particularly tragic time—she had recently returned to the UK after her introduction ceremony in Nigeria, preparing for what was meant to be a joyful traditional wedding.
“Tuesday, April 29, was meant to be her special day — a day of joy, celebration, and new beginnings. Instead, her sudden death has left colleagues and loved ones overwhelmed with unspeakable grief and unanswered questions.”
Colleagues described Miriam as a kind, dedicated professional known for her compassion and resilience. Her passing is being mourned as a major loss to the healthcare community.
The cause of death remains under investigation as tributes pour in from friends, family, and fellow healthcare workers across the globe.
This tragedy follows a similar incident in March 2024, when another Nigerian nurse, Chidimma Ezenyili, collapsed while attending to a patient in the UK and died two days later.
