Popular transgender model, Fola Francis, drowns in Lagos Beach

• He described the deceased as a paragon of light and implored the public to give Fola’s family and friend some moment of privacy as they grief

Nigerian transgender model, Fola Francis, has passed away.

Fola met her end after drowning at IIashe beach in Lagos on the 20th of December 2023.

Her death was announced by a freelance journalist, Vincent Desmond, in a statement on Friday, December 22.

According to Desmond, a memorial will be held in honour of Fola at a yet to be announced date.

He described the deceased as a paragon of light and implored the public to give Fola’s family and friend some moment of privacy as they grief.

“Fola Francis was a beacon of hope and a light to us and a lot other people and we are deeply hurt by her passing,” he said.

“There ‘ll be a memorial which will be discussed at a later date, and we her family and friends ask for privacy at this time.” he added

The fashion designer was renowned for championing the cause of homosexuals and her vocal support for LGBT.

In 2022, she was the cynosure of all eyes at the Lagos Fashion Week for Cute-Saint and Fruché when she became the first Nigerian trans person to walk the show.