Nigerians across social media are mourning the death of Anisa Ishaq-Balogun, a first-class graduate of University of Lagos and a prominent advocate for people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Anisa, known on X by the handle @Nerdy_neesah, reportedly died on Wednesday after living for years with the inherited blood disorder. Her passing has sparked widespread tributes from students, health advocates and followers who had been inspired by her story.
Despite battling sickle cell disease for much of her life, Anisa achieved remarkable academic success. She graduated from the University of Lagos with a first-class degree in Cell Biology and Genetics, earning an impressive CGPA of 4.82 out of 5.00.
Friends and admirers described her as resilient and determined, saying she refused to let her health challenges define her ambitions or limit her academic potential.
Over the years, Anisa’s story became a source of encouragement for many young Nigerians living with sickle cell disease, especially students navigating the challenges of managing their health while pursuing higher education.
Before her death, she celebrated her academic achievement in a social media post that resonated widely with those facing similar conditions.
“Can we skip to the good part?.. B.Sc. Cell Biology and Genetics (4.82/5.00). Who says having sickle cell disease is a barrier to academic excellence? Definitely not me!” she wrote.
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria confirmed her death in a statement, expressing condolences and offering prayers for her family.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. With heavy hearts and complete submission to the will of Allah, we announce the passing of our dear sister, Anisa Ishaq-Balogun, who returned to her Lord during this blessed month of Ramadan,” the statement read.
Her Janazah prayer and burial were scheduled for Thursday morning at Agege Cemetery.
Many Nigerians say Anisa leaves behind a powerful legacy of perseverance, academic excellence and advocacy. Her journey, supporters say, continues to inspire students living with chronic health conditions to pursue their goals despite the obstacles they face.
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