The Nigerian online community is mourning the loss of Esther Thomas, the beloved content creator and skit maker known professionally as Sunshine. Her passing was confirmed by her family in a solemn announcement shared via her Instagram account this past Saturday.
The family’s statement revealed that Thomas succumbed to complications following a surgical procedure for fibroids on Friday, January 9, 2026. They described her death as sudden and noted that arrangements for her burial are presently underway.
Further context surrounding her final days was provided by fellow creator Chidera Madu in a social media post. According to his account, Thomas first experienced significant stomach pain in late December 2025, a condition later diagnosed as fibroid.
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Initial care was sought at Orchid General Hospital, where Madu alleges she received only pain management due to an ongoing doctors’ strike—a circumstance he claims the family was not fully aware of.
Concerned by the lack of attending physicians, Madu facilitated her transfer to another medical facility on January 2, using existing scan results.
As her health continued to decline, surgeons at the second hospital recommended an operation. While the procedure itself was initially deemed successful, Thomas subsequently developed post-operative complications that ultimately led to her death.
The news has sent waves of grief through Nigeria’s vibrant digital entertainment sector, where Sunshine was a familiar and joyful presence.
