Nigerian Student, One Other Die After Giving Plasma at For-Profit Collection Centers. Health Canada Begins Investigation

 Many Nigerians have expressed worries following the death of Rodiyat Alabede, a Nigerian student in Canada, and one other individual after giving plasma at a collection centre that pays people for their donations in Winnipeg.

Ms Alabede died in October last year, while the other person passed away in January 2026. But Health Canada just confirmed that the two incidents occurred after the victims developed fatal adverse reactions following plasma donation at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre, according to reports.

Grifols, a Spanish-based company specialising in the manufacture of plasma medicine, has over a dozen collection centres across Canada. The company pays plasma donors up to $100 per donation, but incentives can be higher depending on how frequently one donates.

In an interview with CBC News published on March 11, one of Ms Alabede’s close friends, Mary Ann Chika, described the deceased, who relocated from Nigeria to Canada in 2022 to study at the University of Winnipeg, as a cheerful person with many dreams.

CBC noted Ms Chika was not around when Ms Alabede, 22, went to Grifols’ collection centre located on Taylor Avenue but was the person who helped to identify the victim in the hospital after she was pronounced dead.

“She was always happy. She had so many dreams, especially when she came to Canada. She held a big place in my heart,” Ms Chika said. “And before she arrived at the hospital, she had already passed.”

Meanwhile, Canadian authorities told CBC that they have not made a connection between the victims’ plasma collection and their death, as the federal regulator was still investigating the cases.

A spokesperson for Grifols said, “Based on the information available at this time, we have no reason to believe that there is a correlation between the donors’ passing and plasma donation.”

The latest development has since generated concerns among Nigerians abroad on social media, with some describing the news as scary and sad.

“What?? Very scary. Many organisations in Canada working to increase blood and plasma donations in the black community. This doesn’t help,” an Instagram user with the handle @lolaalolitaa commented.

Another user, @olori.productions, called for an investigation into the case, stating, “This is sad! What went wrong? Besides, there’s a questionnaire and screening that occur before donation can be allowed. It is important to know what went wrong with her. May her soul rest in peace.”

Similarly, @1anre on Instagram reiterated the need for an investigation as he posted, “A deeper investigation into how this transpired should be shared. Sad.”

In her comment, Instagram user @ucallmekhally said she just became aware of the cause of Ms Alabede’s death while offering prayers on behalf of the deceased.

“We miss you, Rodiat, for your great contribution to MIA as a whole. May almighty Allah continue to grant you aljanah fridaous. I am just getting to know the cause of her death,” she said.