A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked Nigeria’s music world after 26-year-old singer Ifunanya Nwangene, a former contestant on season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, died from a snake bite while asleep at her home.
Nwangene, who had been preparing for her first-ever solo concert, passed away on Jan. 31 after the bite sent her rushing between medical centers searching for antivenom. According to BBC Africa, the aspiring star was living in Abuja when she was attacked in the night. Fellow choir member Hillary Obinna told the outlet that the bite actually woke her up — and that two snakes were later found inside her residence.
Video circulating on social media shows a snake handler removing one of the reptiles from the home, adding to the shock and horror surrounding her final moments.
The Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene performed as a soprano, confirmed her “sudden” death in a Feb. 1 announcement. Music director Sam C. Ezugwu said she died at Federal Medical Center after a nearby clinic lacked antivenom. “A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world,” the choir wrote. “Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Born in Enugu, Nwangene’s talent gained national attention when she turned two chairs with her rendition of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow” on The Voice Nigeria. Her audition video has since racked up more than 80,000 views on YouTube. Alongside singing, she was also an architect who regularly posted covers and original music online.
Her final Instagram post teased a “new project” with Nigerian artist Tbrass — and he revealed she had just visited his studio on Jan. 28 to record a feature for his upcoming album. In a heartbroken tribute, he wrote that losing her was “an irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music society and Nigeria at large,” adding that her voice brought “joy, inspiration, and even healing to many.”
Nwangene had been preparing a major milestone in her career: a solo concert set for 2026. Ezugwu said burial details will be shared later through the Amemuso Choir’s Facebook page.
A promising future cut short, and a music community left stunned by a loss no one saw coming.
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