SAD! How Nigerian Student, Athlete Was Wasted In US Days To MBA Graduation, Wedding

THE Nigerian academic and sporting communities have been thrown into grief following the tragic death of Oluwabukola Pereira, who was reportedly shot and killed in the United States just days before she was due to graduate with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Ms Pereira lost her life on Friday, May 8, 2026, during an alleged robbery incident at Arise Auto Center, where she worked at the time of the attack.

Authorities in the United States, including the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, have since launched an investigation into the killing, although officials have not yet confirmed a specific motive behind the incident.

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According to local reports, a co-worker identified as Don Simpson alleged that Ms Pereira attempted to pursue a suspect who fled with approximately $1,500 before she was shot during the confrontation.

“She was loyal, good and brave,” Mr Simpson reportedly said. “She came to this country trying to build a good life.”

Ms Pereira, who was originally from Nigeria, was a student at Xavier University and was expected to graduate on May 16, 2026, with an MBA degree.

The university also disclosed that she had already secured admission to begin another postgraduate programme in Business Analytics later in the year.

Reacting to the tragic development, Xavier University President Colleen Hanycz described Ms Pereira as a student known for positivity, strong faith, and kindness toward others.

Friends, colleagues, and classmates also remembered her as intelligent, hardworking, and compassionate, noting that she actively participated in academic and extracurricular activities.

Outside the classroom, Ms Pereira was actively involved in athletics as a member of Cincinnati’s Elite running group. She reportedly participated in several races, including the Flying Pig Marathon, earning admiration for her passion for fitness and community engagement.

Her family described her as “a bright and shining star” who was deeply committed to her faith, family, and helping people around her. According to reports, she was the first of four children and had recently become engaged in 2025, with preparations reportedly underway for her wedding.

Meanwhile, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect is believed to be a man aged between 25 and 35 years old. Authorities described him as either Black or Hispanic with long braided or dreadlocked hair and stated that he was last seen fleeing towards the Gardner Park area.

Investigators have urged members of the public with useful information to contact Crime Stoppers as efforts continue to identify and apprehend the suspect connected to the killing.