The Nigerian online community is in mourning following the death of popular social media personality Mensah Omolola, widely known as Aunty Esther. She passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, after a public battle with breast cancer that sparked a national debate over faith and medical treatment.
A Courageous Battle and a Controversial Decision
Her caregiver and media personality, known as Aunty Muse, confirmed the sad news in a post on the social media platform X. Aunty Esther's health journey had drawn widespread attention and sympathy after she openly shared her struggles with the public.
The controversy centered on her firm decision to refuse a blood transfusion, a procedure recommended by her doctors as part of her cancer treatment. She based this choice on her religious beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness, a faith that prohibits receiving blood.
National Support and Fundraising Efforts
Nigerians rallied behind her, donating nearly ₦30.7 million to support her medical care. The fundraising effort was led by Wisdom Obi-Dickson, popularly known as Wizarab10 on X, who confirmed the total amount raised by December 1, 2025.
In earlier posts, Aunty Esther had explained that medical examinations showed the cancer was limited to her breast and armpit areas. Doctors recommended chemotherapy but advised that her blood levels needed improvement first. She wrote that she and her family opted for alternative treatments to boost her blood count without a transfusion.
She expressed deep gratitude for the public's support, specifically thanking Wizarab10 and other supporters, saying, "I appreciate everyone. God bless."
Faith, Pressure, and Public Reaction
Obi-Dickson later revealed that Aunty Esther's church had warned her of potential disciplinary action, including disfellowshipping, if she accepted a blood transfusion. Medical professionals had reportedly presented two options: a transfusion-supported treatment that was within the raised budget, or a more expensive and time-consuming alternative that avoided blood products.
Aunty Esther chose the latter, guided by her religious convictions. Aunty Muse noted that Esther's stance against transfusion was clear from the very beginning, even before fundraising commenced, and that specialists had agreed the non-transfusion treatment could still be effective.
Her death triggered a wave of mixed reactions online. Some Nigerians expressed profound sadness and paid tribute to her strength, while others questioned the outcome, suggesting that donated funds might be redirected to other patients in future cases where life-saving medical advice is declined.
Social media was flooded with tributes and reflections. One user, @oxmilan, wrote, "This woman had all the support from absolutely strangers but religion made her decline... rest easy." Another, @HelenOkoye11, noted, "She followed the voice she trusted most, her own belief, steady & unbending."
The story of Aunty Esther highlights the complex intersection of modern healthcare, profound faith, and the powerful voice of Nigeria's digital community in times of personal crisis.
