Nigeria is once again confronted with a painful conversation about healthcare, governance, and the cost of survival, following the emergence of a deeply emotional letter written by the late Kingsley Obiekezie Aneke before his death.
In the letter, now circulating widely online, Kingsley narrated his long battle with a heart condition and how, despite years of careful management and early detection, he ultimately became what he described as “a victim of the system.”
According to the account, Kingsley had lived with a heart condition for years under the care of a trusted cardiologist. His health, however, reportedly began to deteriorate after the specialist relocated abroad — a move he attributed to Nigeria’s worsening healthcare environment and poor working conditions for medical professionals.
On November 24, 2025, Kingsley was admitted to a hospital that had managed his condition successfully for years. When his case became critical, doctors reportedly sought to refer him to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for access to a broader team of specialists. That referral, he said, was impossible due to an ongoing strike in public hospitals — a situation he noted was not isolated.
Left with limited options, his family reportedly approached two private facilities — Evercare Hospital, Lekki, and Duke’s Neurosurgery and Specialist Hospital, Victoria Island. According to the letter, both hospitals allegedly demanded deposits running into millions of naira before treatment could commence.
The family eventually settled for Duke’s Neurosurgery and Specialist Hospital. However, Kingsley alleged that financial demands were prioritised over urgent medical care, describing the experience as one where billing took precedence over his worsening condition.
Despite what he described as enormous sacrifices made by his family, Kingsley lost the battle on December 5, 2025.
Beyond his personal story, the letter took a broader tone, condemning what he described as bad governance and misplaced political priorities. He expressed frustration that, while citizens struggle with insecurity, poor roads, underfunded hospitals, and the mass migration of skilled professionals abroad, political leaders remain focused on election cycles rather than systemic reform.
He also warned that private hospitals, in critical cases, often lack the depth of expertise found in public institutions, yet remain inaccessible to many due to high costs — a reality he said turns medical emergencies into financial negotiations.
In a pointed section of the letter, Kingsley criticised individuals and groups who support poor governance simply because “their tribe is in power,” stating that many Nigerians are dying daily due to preventable failures of leadership and infrastructure.
He described his death as a potential wake-up call, stressing that many Nigerians cannot even afford the level of care he received, let alone access basic medical services.
Despite the anger and pain expressed, the letter ended on a reflective and advisory note. Kingsley urged Nigerians to prioritise routine medical checkups, noting that early detection helped him manage his condition for years. He encouraged healthy living, regular exercise, and maintaining a positive mindset.
Above all, he appealed to citizens to continue demanding a better Nigeria — one where healthcare, safety, and opportunity are not privileges for the few but rights for all.
The letter concluded with a message of hope and faith that Nigeria can still change.
“As I take my leave, my hope remains that Nigeria becomes a place where healthcare and opportunities are accessible to all. May God hear our prayers and guide this country to a better future.”
The statement was signed:
Kingsley Obiekezie Aneke
As reactions continue to trail the publication, the letter has reignited national debate about healthcare reform, governance accountability, and the human cost of systemic neglect in Nigeria.
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