Esther Thomas death confirmed as the Nigerian skit maker, known as Sunshine, dies after complications from fibroid surgery

Popular Nigerian content creator and skit maker Esther Thomas, professionally known as Sunshine, has died following complications from fibroid surgery, her family has confirmed.

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The family announced the Esther Thomas death in a statement posted on her official Instagram page on Saturday, stating that she passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, after an unsuccessful surgical procedure.

“We the family of Esther Thomas (A.K.A Sunshine), with pain in our hearts, regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter, who passed away on January 9, 2026, after an unsuccessful surgery,” the statement read.

According to the family, the skit maker had been battling fibroid and underwent surgery but developed severe complications afterwards. Burial arrangements, they said, are currently ongoing.

Further details emerged from fellow content creator Chidera Madu, who shared a detailed account of Sunshine’s medical journey in a Facebook post.

Madu disclosed that Sunshine first complained of stomach pain on December 28, 2025, which worsened over time and was later diagnosed as fibroid.

He said she was initially admitted to Orchid General Hospital, where she was reportedly placed on pain relief medication due to an ongoing doctors’ strike, a situation he claimed the family was not informed about.

Madu explained that on January 2, after observing the continued absence of doctors, he transferred her to another hospital for further care, using scan results already obtained from the first facility.

At the second hospital, doctors reportedly advised immediate surgery as her condition deteriorated. Although the operation was described as successful, Sunshine later developed post-surgical complications that proved fatal.

“The doctor said the surgery went well, but she later developed complications that led to her death,” Madu said.

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Sunshine’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief across social media, with colleagues and fans mourning the loss of a vibrant and creative voice in Nigeria’s digital entertainment space.