Aspiring Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene has died after being bitten by a snake at her residence in Abuja on Saturday. She was 26.
Nwangene rose to national prominence after appearing on The Voice Nigeria in 2021 and was admired for her unique fusion of jazz, opera, classical music, and soul. She was also a trained architect.
Videos shared on social media showed a snake handler removing a snake from her home, as onlookers identified it as a cobra.
Her death was confirmed in a statement released by the Amemuso Choir, where she sang as a soprano. The group said she passed away on January 31, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre after complications from the snake bite.
The choir described her as a gifted vocalist whose talent was just beginning to reach a wider audience, adding that her voice and passion would be deeply missed.
A close friend and co-founder of the Amemuso Choir, Sam Ezugwu, said Nwangene had been preparing for her first solo concert later this year. He explained that she initially sought treatment at a nearby clinic before being referred to a hospital due to the unavailability of antivenom.
According to Ezugwu, the hospital had only one of the two antivenoms required to treat her condition. While doctors tried to stabilise her, her condition worsened.
Another friend, Hillary Obinna, said Nwangene had been asleep when the snake bite occurred and that two snakes were later discovered in the house.
Despite efforts to source the missing antivenom, Nwangene died before treatment could be completed. Friends and choir members reportedly gathered at the hospital that evening, hoping for a positive outcome.
Those who knew her described her as humble, intelligent, and exceptionally talented, noting that her sudden death has left many in shock.
