The entertainment world has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Ifunanya Nwangene, a former contestant on The Voice Nigeria, who passed away at just 26 years old after being bitten by a snake in her Abuja apartment.
A Rising Star Silenced
Nwangene, celebrated for her distinctive jazz-operatic vocal style, first captured national attention five years ago with her captivating performance of Rihanna's Take a Bow on the popular singing competition. Although she was eliminated during the Knockout stage, she remained a beloved figure in Nigeria's music scene.
Tragic Circumstances Revealed
The shocking incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 31st January 2026, while Nwangene was sleeping in her Abuja residence. According to her close friend Hillary Obinna, who spoke to BBC Africa, the vocalist was 'woken up' by the snake bite.
Sam C. Ezugwu, music director of Amemuso Choir, confirmed the devastating news in a Facebook statement, describing Nwangene as 'a rising star on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world.' He revealed that she was rushed to hospital where medical staff desperately tried to stabilise her condition.
'She could not speak, but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,' Ezugwu recalled, painting a harrowing picture of her final moments.
A Promising Career Cut Short
The tragedy struck just three days after Nwangene had previewed an exciting new collaboration with musician Tbrass. Following her passing, the artist shared footage of their recording session as part of a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
'An irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music society and Nigeria at large,' he wrote. 'My hand and heart feels very heavy writing this, because it is unimaginable losing such a young promising great, talented music artist who touched so many lives.'
He continued: '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.'
A Legacy Remembered
The Amemuso Choir's statement emphasised that 'her voice and spirit will be deeply missed,' echoing sentiments shared by fans and fellow musicians across Nigeria and beyond. Nwangene's death represents not just a personal tragedy but a significant loss to the nation's cultural landscape.
As tributes continue to pour in, the music community is left to reflect on the cruel randomness of the incident and the bright future that has been extinguished. The circumstances serve as a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike, even in urban environments like Nigeria's capital city.
