By Daniel Bampoe
Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of 26-year-old aspiring singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who died after being bitten by a snake in her Abuja apartment.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 31, 2026, has sparked widespread grief across the country and renewed public debate about emergency healthcare response and patient safety in Nigeria.
Nwangene, who gained national recognition after appearing on The Voice Nigeria in 2021, was widely regarded as a rising talent in the music industry.
Known for her versatility, she blended jazz, opera, classical music, and soul, earning admiration from fans and colleagues alike. Beyond music, she was also a trained architect, balancing her creative career with professional ambitions.
The shocking circumstances surrounding her death have drawn significant attention online. Videos shared on social media captured a snake handler removing a snake from her residence as terrified voices screamed, “It is a cobra!”
According to reports, two snakes were later discovered inside the apartment, raising concerns about safety even in Abuja’s upscale neighbourhoods.
Close friends and colleagues have described the singer as humble, intelligent, and exceptionally gifted.
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Sam Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene sang, told the BBC she was a “rising star” who had been preparing to stage her first solo concert later this year. He said the choir community has been devastated by her sudden passing.
Another friend, Hillary Obinna, who also performed alongside her, recounted being told that Nwangene had been asleep when the snake bite woke her up.
After the bite, she initially sought treatment at a nearby clinic, but staff reportedly did not have antivenom available. She was then rushed to a hospital for further care.
Ezugwu said he hurried to the hospital after learning of her condition.
According to him, the facility had one type of the required antivenom but lacked another. He described her final moments as distressing.
“While they were trying to stabilise her, she could not speak, but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,” he said.
Ezugwu added that he drove out in search of the missing antivenom but returned to find that she had died. Choir members later gathered at the hospital that evening, hoping for what he called “a miracle.”
However, the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, Abuja, where she was treated, has rejected claims that antivenom was unavailable or that the hospital’s response was inadequate.
In a statement released on Sunday, the hospital insisted its staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, oxygen support, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.
The medical centre said a rapid assessment showed that Nwangene suffered severe complications from the bite and that her condition suddenly deteriorated before she could be transferred to intensive care. Despite efforts by doctors, she could not be revived.
“We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily,” the hospital stated.
Nwangene’s death has reignited national concerns about healthcare quality and emergency preparedness in Nigeria, coming amid recent allegations of medical negligence in other high-profile cases.
Public attention has also turned to broader systemic challenges within the country’s health sector.
In response to growing outcry, Nigeria’s health minister has acknowledged existing systemic problems and announced the creation of a national task force focused on clinical governance and patient safety.
