US-Based Nigerian Student-Athlete Fatally Shot Just Days Shy of MBA Commencement

Oluwabukola Pereira, a Nigerian national, has been fatally shot in the United States, just days shy of her graduation with a Master of Business Administration degree, leaving the Nigerian sporting community in mourning.

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Pereira's life was cut short on Friday, May 8, during an apparent robbery at Arise Auto Center, her workplace, where she was reportedly killed.

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According to local reports, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident, although the authorities have not officially confirmed a motive for the killing.

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A witness, Don Simpson, a coworker of Pereira's at the auto shop, recounted to Marcella Porter TV that she had attempted to chase a suspect who allegedly fled with about $1,500 before she was shot.

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Simpson remembered Pereira as "loyal, good and brave," saying "She came to this country trying to build a good life," in a tribute to her character.

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Originally from Nigeria, Pereira was set to graduate from Xavier University on May 16 with an MBA degree, and had also gained admission to begin another postgraduate programme in Business Analytics later this year.

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Xavier University President Colleen Hanycz described Pereira as a woman known for her "positivity, deep faith and generous spirit" in a statement, adding that friends remembered her as "kind, honest, intelligent and beautiful — inside and out".

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Beyond her academic pursuits, Pereira was an active athlete and a member of Cincinnati’s Elite running group, participating in several races, including the Flying Pig Marathon.

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Her family fondly described her as "a bright and shining star" who dedicated her life to worship, prayer, and helping others, leaving a lasting legacy.

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Pereira, the first of four children, was also preparing to marry later this year, having become engaged in 2025, a milestone she would now never reach.

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The suspect in the shooting is described by the sheriff's office as a man believed to be between 25 and 35 years old, of Black or Hispanic ethnicity, with long hair worn in braids or dreadlocks, last seen running toward the Gardner Park area.

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Authorities have urged anyone with useful information to contact Crime Stoppers, as investigations into the incident continue, seeking to bring justice to Pereira's family and loved ones.