- Ifunanya Nwangene dies after snake bite in Abuja
- Singer rose to fame after The Voice Nigeria 2021
- Lack of full antivenom delayed treatment
- Music community mourns a promising talent
Fast-rising Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene has died after suffering a snake bite in Abuja, a tragedy that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s music and creative community.
Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after being bitten by a snake inside her Abuja residence. The aspiring singer was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, where she later died.
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Nwangene gained national recognition after appearing on The Voice Nigeria in 2021 and was admired for her unique blend of jazz, opera, classical music, and soul. Beyond music, she was also a trained architect.
Videos that later surfaced online showed a snake handler removing a snake from her home as distressed residents shouted, “It is a cobra!”
Her death was confirmed by Amemuso Choir, where she served as a soprano.
“Amemuso Choir regrets to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano, Ifunanya Nwangene,” the group said in a statement.
“A rising star, Ifunanya was on the verge of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Speaking to the BBC, Sam Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the choir, described her as a gifted artiste who had been planning her first solo concert later this year.
Another close friend, Hillary Obinna, said Nwangene had been asleep when the snake bite woke her, adding that two snakes were later found in the house.
Nwangene reportedly sought help at a nearby clinic before being referred to FMC Abuja due to the unavailability of antivenom. According to Ezugwu, the hospital had one type of antivenom but lacked another required for treatment.
“She couldn’t speak, but she could still make hand gestures,” he said. “She was struggling to breathe.”
Ezugwu said he left the hospital in search of the missing antivenom but returned to the devastating news that she had passed away.
The choir and friends reportedly gathered at the hospital that evening, holding onto hope for a miracle.
“Everybody is shattered,” Obinna said. “She was humble, intelligent, and extremely talented.”
The hospital has been contacted for comments regarding the circumstances surrounding her treatment.