By Adesakin Adefemi
Nigerian athlete and MBA student Oluwabukola Pereira was shot dead during a suspected robbery at a car service centre in Lockland, Ohio, on May 8, 2026, just days before she was set to graduate.
The 30-year-old middle-distance runner worked as a cashier at the service centre when an armed assailant entered and stole $1,500. According to co-worker Don Simpson, Pereira chased the robber outside and was shot twice during the confrontation.
“So the guy came in and robbed her, and when he ran, she ran behind him. And when they got to the back, he shot her,” Simpson said. Local authorities are still investigating the incident and have not officially confirmed the motive.
Pereira was pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Xavier University and was scheduled to graduate within days of the shooting. Her death has left classmates, colleagues, and the Nigerian diaspora community in mourning.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Pereira competed in several national championships before relocating to the United States. She first gained recognition as an athlete while still in Lagos, where her talent caught the attention of James Lafferty, former CEO of Coca-Cola West Africa.
Lafferty discovered Pereira’s potential and sponsored her immigration to the U.S. She arrived with only $10 and a scholarship, according to Lafferty. Her journey from Lagos to American universities reflected years of determination and academic focus.
In the U.S., Pereira earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University and later completed a master’s degree in communication from the University of Texas at El Paso. She balanced her studies with work while continuing to train as a middle-distance runner.
Friends and former coaches described Pereira as ambitious, resilient, and committed to building a future in both business and athletics. Her pursuit of an MBA was aimed at expanding her career opportunities beyond sports.
The killing has renewed concerns about workplace safety and gun violence in the U.S., while tributes from Nigeria have highlighted Pereira’s story as one of promise cut short. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
