Fola Francis, a prominent Nigerian transgender model, LGBTQIA+ activist, and entrepreneur, reportedly passed away on December 20, 2023, after drowning at Ilashe Beach in Lagos.
She gained recognition for breaking barriers and achieved the milestone of being the first transgender individual to grace the catwalk at Lagos Fashion Week for Cute-Saint and Fruché in 2022.
The untimely demise of Fola Francis was announced yesterday on X (formerly Twitter) by freelance journalist Vincent Desmond.
The loss of this influential Nigerian transgender model is deeply felt within the community.
Desmond tweeted, “Fola Francis was a beacon of hope and inspiration for many. We are profoundly saddened by her passing.”
He also disclosed plans for a memorial service to honor Fola’s memory and requested privacy for her grieving family and friends during this challenging period.
