When I first met Somtochukwu in 2019, Nigeria was in the thick of an election season, which was a time of high energy, debate, trending social media headlines, and issues like insecurity, which continue to be spoken about by thousands and thousands of Nigerians across the country today.
I was there in the capital, Abuja, covering the elections, and among the chaos and velocity of that period, Somtochukwu stood out immediately. We connected on social media, and I found her background and interests in law intriguing, especially due to her choice of migration.
Here was a young woman, born and raised in London with British citizenship, who didn’t view Nigeria through a distant lens. She didn’t just comment on the country’s story from the comfort of the diaspora – she chose to step directly into it.
For many in the diaspora, the connection to our heritage is maintained through festive trips, social media, and shared memories. But Somtochukwu made a choice that required a different level of courage: she chose presence over distance. Armed with her legal background and a passion for storytelling, she built a life, a career, and a legacy on Nigerian soil.
Before she stepped into broadcasting, Somtochukwu was already a force – a successful model who had formerly been crowned Miss World Tourism Nigeria. When we first met in Abuja, she was practicing law, though her real ambition lay in media and presenting.
It was early morning during a hectic election season, and with an hour to spare, we agreed to meet outside my hotel in Wuse 2. The moment she stepped out of her taxi, she commanded the street. Sharp in a hot pink blazer dress and carrying a soft, powdery fragrance, she was utterly stunning.
In the blazing sun shortly after a pre-chat, we clipped on our microphones and began discussing the youth vote and political engagement. That video never aired, but I still have the recording. Today, watching Somtochukwu outline those systemic realities – some of the very ones that ultimately cost her life – is nothing short of gut-wrenching.
“The police are not very cooperative.. most members of the police force are men, and they’re not very sympathetic to the things that we women in Nigeria experience..”
After we met, we stayed connected on social media casually chatting, and it was always so warming to see her updates, glam photoshoots, viral social media videos showing part of her bubbly personality, and notably, her transition into working at one of the most watched TV channels across the country, Arise News. The passions she once spoke about, also became her reality. She was making her mark and inspiring so many of the diaspora to not be afraid to chase their dreams beyond their country of their birth.
Watching Somtochukwu’s journey over the years – staying connected through socials and seeing her carve out her space was a continuous reminder of what true purpose looks like. She represented the very best of what the diaspora can be: not just a bridge between two worlds, but someone bold enough to plant their feet firmly in the place they love, regardless of how challenging that path might be. One of Somtochukwu’s last ever tweets were: ‘…I pray Nigeria never happens to us’ – which shook many social media users to their core, myself included.
The saying and connotation behind that quote alone highlight the ongoing issues campaigners, activists, and millions of civilians plead for – from the 2019 elections, the Lekki tollgate massacre, and the 2023 elections with just a few months remaining until the next one in 2027 – all with numerous tragedies in between.
Somtochukwu’s passing just last year in September 2025 – leaves a heavy void for everyone whose life she touched, whether through a screen, across a newsroom, or in person. But her choice remains a light. Somtochukwu proved that home isn’t just where you are born; it is where you choose to give your gifts.
Rest in peace, Somtochukwu Maduagwu. Your courage, your drive, and your legacy live on.
Writer: Hannah Ajala
