A UK-based Nigerian woman, Omotayo Abioye, has died after a protracted battle with breast cancer, prompting an outpouring of grief and a fresh appeal for support for her young family.

Abioye, a mother of three, was widely described by relatives and friends as a devoted parent, loving wife and compassionate member of the Nigerian community in Britain. Her death has renewed attention on the pressures faced by immigrant families dealing with serious illness far from home.

In a tribute shared on X by former president of Nigerians in the UK, Benjamin Kuti, her family said Abioye’s life was marked by kindness, generosity and an infectious energy that drew people to her.

“She was kind, generous, and full of life, with a radiant and bubbly spirit that lit up every room she entered. She loved deeply, laughed freely, and had a beautiful gift for bringing people together,” the statement read.

Relatives said she fought cancer with remarkable courage, holding on to her faith and remaining a source of strength to others even as her health deteriorated. Kuti noted that she “served God wholeheartedly and remained strong, joyful, and graceful even in the face of illness,” describing her life as “a powerful testimony of resilience, strength, and hope.”

Abioye leaves behind three children, aged 11, 9 and 7, whom the family called her “pride, joy, and greatest legacy.” The children’s future and welfare are now at the centre of a fundraising drive launched by relatives and community leaders.

The family is appealing to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to help give Abioye what they termed a dignified farewell and to provide a financial cushion for the children as they adjust to life without their mother. Contributions, they said, would go towards funeral costs and ongoing support for the youngsters.

“In this moment of grief, we humbly call on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to stand with the family,” the statement said, adding that no contribution was too small and that prayers and moral support were equally important.

Abioye’s death follows a series of recent high-profile cases involving Nigerians in the UK who have succumbed to serious illnesses, raising concerns within the diaspora community about health awareness, access to care and the financial strain of long-term treatment abroad.