A wave of sorrow has swept through the nursing communities in both the UK and Nigeria following the tragic death of Nnena Miriam, a Nigerian nurse based in Leeds.
Her body was discovered in her apartment after friends and colleagues grew concerned over her sudden disappearance.
Fellow Nurses Africa, a professional body committed to the advancement of African nurses, confirmed her passing in a statement released on Wednesday. According to the organisation, a friend raised the alarm when repeated attempts to reach Miriam failed, prompting a missing person report. Police later found her unresponsive at home.
Miriam’s last known work shift was the previous Sunday, and her absence from work and her silence raised immediate concern among those close to her.
The news comes just days after what should have been a joyful milestone in her life. Miriam had recently returned to the UK after holding an introduction ceremony in Nigeria, a cultural prelude to her traditional marriage. April 29 was intended to mark a special chapter in her life — instead, it became a day of mourning.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Nurse Nnena Miriam,” the statement read. “Her death under such sudden and distressing circumstances has left her colleagues and loved ones devastated.”
Her peers remembered Miriam as a compassionate and dedicated professional who brought warmth and commitment to her role in healthcare.
“She served her community with tireless compassion and touched countless lives,” the organisation added. “Her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.”
Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of death, and an investigation is ongoing.
Her death echoes a similar incident in March 2024, when another Nigerian healthcare worker in the UK, Chidimma Ezenyili, passed away unexpectedly. Ezenyili collapsed while caring for a client and died two days later.
