A Nigerian family has made an appeal for public assistance after their daughter, Lizzy Nwankaego Onyeama, suddenly developed a severe and unexplained mental illness shortly before completing her university education.
According to the family, Lizzy was in her final year at the University of Port Harcourt in 2017 when her health took a tragic turn. She returned home unexpectedly, exhibiting erratic behavior and signs of psychological distress.
In an emotional video shared online, her sibling revealed that Lizzy began talking to herself and claiming to see people no one else could see.
“She went to UniPort healthy… look at her now,” the family captioned the viral post, which included stark before-and-after photos showing the dramatic decline in her physical and mental condition.
Over the past eight years, the family has taken Lizzy to several hospitals and psychiatric centers in search of a cure, but her condition remains unchanged. Most recently, she was evaluated at a psychiatric facility in Yaba, Lagos, where doctors prescribed urgent treatment and medication—costs the family can no longer afford.
Adding to their pain, Lizzy’s father—who now shoulders the responsibility of caring for her and six other siblings—recently suffered a partial stroke that left him unable to speak clearly. Their mother reportedly abandoned the family years ago, leaving them without emotional or financial support.
With mounting medical expenses and no steady income, the family is turning to the public for help to give Lizzy a chance at recovery.
“There is nothing too small to give. Please help us,” her brother pleaded in the video, appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians and organizations for donations.
