Nigerian athlete, MBA graduate-to-be, shot dead in U.S. days before graduation

Tragedy has struck Nigeria’s sporting and academic communities following the killing of a young Nigerian athlete and graduate student, Oluwabukola Pereira, in the United States, just days before she was due to graduate with a Master of Business Administration degree.

Pereira, 30, was reportedly shot dead on Friday, May 8, during an alleged robbery incident at her workplace, Arise Auto Center, in Lockland, Ohio, where she was employed while studying at Xavier University.

The incident, which is now under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, has left family members, friends, teammates, and members of the Nigerian athletics community in deep shock, with many describing her death as both tragic and cruelly timed, coming at a moment she was preparing for a major life milestone.

According to reports, the attacker allegedly attempted to rob the business of about $1,500 before Pereira tried to intervene. She was said to have been shot during the confrontation. Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive for the attack, and no arrests have been announced as investigations continue.

A co-worker, Don Simpson, who witnessed the aftermath of the incident, described Pereira as courageous and dedicated.

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

The shooting occurred only days before her scheduled graduation ceremony on May 16, a moment her family and friends had eagerly anticipated.

In a statement, Xavier University (Xavier University) mourned her passing, describing her as a vibrant and committed student with a strong academic record and admirable personal qualities. The university also noted that she had secured admission into another postgraduate programme in Business Analytics scheduled for later in the year.

University president Colleen Hanycz said Pereira was widely admired within the school community.

“Friends describe her as kind, honest, intelligent and beautiful — inside and out,” the statement read.

Beyond academics, Pereira was also active in athletics. She was a member of Cincinnati’s Elite running group and participated in several events, including the Flying Pig Marathon, earning respect within local sporting circles.

Her family, speaking from Nigeria, described her as “a bright and shining star” who lived a life rooted in faith, service, and compassion.

Her grassroots coach in Lagos, Rauf Abass, also expressed deep sorrow over her death, recalling her discipline and determination as an athlete who rose through the Greater Tomorrow Athletics Club.

“She was humble, disciplined and dedicated to her dreams,” he said. “This is a huge loss. I pray for the repose of her soul and for God to grant her family the strength to bear this painful loss.”

Coach Abass added that her colleagues in athletics were devastated by the news, noting that she remained committed to her goals both on the track and in her academic journey abroad.

Reports also indicate that Pereira was the first of four children and had recently become engaged in 2025, with plans to marry later this year after her graduation.

Meanwhile, police in Ohio have appealed for public assistance in identifying the suspect, described as a man between 25 and 35 years old, who was last seen fleeing toward the Gardner Park area shortly after the shooting.

As investigations continue, her death has left a painful void in both Nigeria’s athletics community and among those who knew her as a driven young woman working toward a brighter future.