In a saga that has gripped Nigeria’s social media space, the crowdfunding campaign for Esther Omolola Mensah—popularly known as Aunty Esther—has spiraled from a desperate medical appeal into a nationwide debate about faith, transparency, and public trust. What began as a sincere cry for help has now become a storm of accusations, religious conflict, and demands for refunds. With more than ₦30 million raised, the story has evolved beyond one woman’s battle with cancer into a reflection of Nigeria’s complicated relationship with religion, empathy, and online fundraising.

The Spark: A Vendor’s Desperate Cry

Aunty Esther, a 45-year-old Lagos vendor known for her lively “pepper girl” videos on X (formerly Twitter), had built a small but loyal following through her business posts, market runs, and everyday humor. But in late November, her page turned into a documentary of suffering.

On November 24, a heartbreaking video surfaced showing her writhing in pain on a hospital bed, pleading for help. Days later, she revealed that doctors at LUTH had diagnosed her with advanced breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. She required immediate and expensive treatment: chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy.

The video went viral, amassing over a million views. Nigerians rallied quickly. Influencers, celebrities, and everyday users amplified the appeal. Popular philanthropist Sir Dickson (Wizarab) spearheaded the fundraiser, which skyrocketed past ₦16m in 48 hours and eventually exceeded ₦30 million.
Even Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen reportedly donated ₦5 million.

For many, it was another example of Nigerians stepping up to save a life.

The Twist: Faith Over Transfusion

But the tone changed abruptly on December 4, when Wizarab shared an unexpected update.

Esther’s doctors recommended a blood transfusion to stabilize her blood levels before chemotherapy. She declined.

Esther is a devout Jehovah’s Witness—a denomination that forbids blood transfusions for adult members. The doctrine, based on biblical interpretations, has led to global controversies and countless preventable deaths.

Instead of a transfusion, she opted for iron supplements and blood-boosting injections, which are slower and more expensive. Her church elders reportedly warned her against accepting blood, while her family stood by her religious decision.

Her stance shocked many donors who believed the urgency of her situation required all available medical options.

The Backlash: From Empathy to Outrage

The internet erupted.

Thousands accused her of withholding critical information, claiming they donated under false assumptions. Hashtags calling for refunds began trending. Some donors publicly demanded their money back, arguing that her refusal of essential medical treatment amounted to misrepresentation.

Old posts from June 2025 resurfaced, where Esther allegedly raised funds for a medical issue but pursued alternative treatments instead—leading some to accuse her of a pattern of dishonesty.

The situation escalated when both Wizarab and Dr. Sina, the volunteer medical advisor on the case, withdrew from the campaign. Wizarab claimed Esther had been dishonest, even attempting to manipulate her caregiver into lying about her intentions.

Her caregiver, who had been sleeping in the hospital and coordinating with doctors, confirmed she was asked to conceal information but refused.

The internet, already tense, exploded.

The Religious Divide

While many blasted Esther’s decision, others defended her right to follow her faith, even if unpopular.
Some medical professionals urged empathy, noting that deeply held religious beliefs can be difficult to abandon under pressure.

Supporters argued that donors were aware of her identity and background, and that adults have the right to decline medical procedures—even life-saving ones.

But critics countered that such beliefs should have been disclosed upfront, especially when large donations were being raised for aggressive cancer treatment that might require blood support at multiple stages.

The story exposed a harsh reality: Nigeria’s religious convictions often clash violently with modern medical science.

The Money Question: Refunds or Reassignment?

With the fundraiser leaders stepping back, donors began demanding clarity.

Wizarab admitted he no longer knew how to proceed with the funds and suggested possibly handing them over to the family or the church.
This fueled even more anger, with several donors insisting that the money was raised for treatment, not for religious institutions or relatives.

Some called for partial refunds. Others suggested redirecting the funds to other verified cancer patients.

Legally, donor expectations versus patient autonomy sit in a grey area. But public opinion has already rendered its verdict: people feel betrayed.

A Pattern and a Lesson

Esther’s case is not Nigeria’s first confrontation with the Jehovah’s Witness doctrine on blood transfusion. Doctors have repeatedly complained about preventable deaths—especially among children—when JW parents refuse transfusions.

But this case is unique because of the scale of public involvement, the size of the funds, and the sense of emotional investment Nigerians placed in her.

Public trust in crowdfunding—already fragile—has taken another hit.

ReportNaija’s Take: Compassion Without Blind Spots

Aunty Esther’s situation is heartbreaking. Her pain is real. Her faith is real. But donor outrage is also real—and justified.

Crowdfunding in Nigeria desperately needs transparency, verified medical oversight, and clear disclosures, especially when religion, life-saving treatment, and large donations collide.

To Esther:
Your life matters. Your faith is yours, but clarity could have saved this crisis.

To donors:
Your generosity is powerful. But always verify before giving.

To religious institutions:
Doctrine should not cost lives.

As of today, Aunty Esther remains hospitalized at LUTH, being monitored and treated with the options she has chosen. Her story continues to evolve—and so does the national conversation.

ReportNaija will follow up with updates as they unfold.