By Grok News Service
ABUJA, Nigeria – February 2, 2026 Ifunanya Nwangene, a rising Nigerian singer and former contestant on The Voice Nigeria, has died at the age of 26 after being bitten by a venomous snake while sleeping in her apartment in Abuja.
The incident, which occurred on January 31, has sparked widespread grief across Nigeria and renewed discussions about healthcare access and snakebite treatment in the country, BBC.com reported.
Nwangene, an Enugu-born soprano vocalist and trained architect, was asleep when the snake bite woke her, BBC.com said.
According to friends and witnesses, she sought immediate medical attention but faced delays in receiving the necessary antivenom, according to BBC.
She was first treated at a nearby clinic that lacked the required medication before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, where she later succumbed to the effects of the venom, the BBC said.
Videos circulating on social media captured the removal of a snake from her residence, with bystanders identifying it as a cobra, according to BBC.
Reports indicate that two snakes were discovered in her home following the incident, BBC reported.
Sam C. Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir where Nwangene performed as a soprano, confirmed her death in a statement shared on social media, The Grio said.
“Amemuso Choir regrets to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano,” Ezugwu wrote. “A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Ezugwu described rushing to the hospital upon hearing the news, where he witnessed Nwangene struggling to breathe and making hand gestures as medical staff attempted to stabilize her, according to People.
He noted that while one type of antivenom was available, a second required dose was missing, leading to a frantic search that ultimately proved too late, the BBC reported.
Hillary Obinna, a fellow choir member and friend, told BBC reporters that Nwangene was “a very wonderful girl, she is humble – very intelligent and very talented.”
He added, “Everybody is shattered. We could not sleep at night.”
Nwangene rose to prominence in 2021 during season three of The Voice Nigeria, where her performance of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow” earned her turns from two coaches and garnered over 80,000 views on YouTube, according to BBC.
Known for her versatile style blending jazz, opera, classical music, and soul, she was actively pursuing a solo career, People reported.
Just days before her death, on January 28, she recorded a feature with musician Tbrass at his studio, BBC reported.
Tbrass paid tribute to her on Instagram, calling her passing “an irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music society and Nigeria at large.” He reflected, “The pain of saying goodbye to someone whose voice and energy brought joy, inspiration, and even healing to many is heavy. From her unique voice, to the stories she told through songs, and the way she represented our culture and struggles, Nanya was a true artist who left an irreplaceable mark.”
Her final Instagram post teased an upcoming collaboration with Tbrass, according to People.
The Federal Medical Centre defended its response, stating that Nwangene received immediate care including resuscitation, intravenous fluids, oxygen, and polyvalent snake antivenom, People reported.
However, the hospital acknowledged that her condition had severely deteriorated by the time of arrival, leading to her death despite efforts to revive her, according to BBC.
Allegations of medical negligence have surfaced, fueling broader debates on Nigeria’s healthcare system, BBC reported.
Nigeria’s health minister has responded by forming a national task force on clinical governance and patient safety, highlighting systemic challenges such as antivenom shortages, according to the BBC.
Public reactions on social media reflect profound sorrow and calls for action. One tribute urged suspending divisions to mourn collectively, while a political figure described her death as “a painful loss” and advocated for urgent public health improvements. The World Health Organization classifies venomous snakebites as a neglected tropical disease, with sub-Saharan Africa seeing an estimated 30,000 deaths annually, often exacerbated by limited access to treatment.
Nwangene’s untimely death in an upmarket area of the capital has shocked many, underscoring that snakebites can occur anywhere, not just in rural settings, BBC.com reported.
Her family, friends, and fans continue to mourn the loss of a talented artist whose potential was cut tragically short, according to the BBC.
