A promising Nigerian singer and former The Voice Nigeria contestant has died under unusual and tragic circumstances after being bitten by a snake while asleep in her home.
Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, an aspiring recording artist and trained architect, died on Jan. 31 after suffering a snake bite in Abuja, where she lived. Her death was confirmed by members of the Amemuso Choir, with whom she sang, and later reported by BBC Africa.
Music director Sam C. Ezugwu announced her passing in a statement shared on Facebook, describing the loss as sudden and devastating.
“A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world,” the choir said. “Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Image: The Voice Nigeria
According to accounts given to BBC Africa by fellow choir members, Nwangene was asleep when the snake bite woke her. She reportedly attempted to seek treatment at a nearby clinic, but was unable to obtain antivenom. She was later taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, where she died.
BBC Africa reported that two snakes were later discovered in her residence, and footage circulating on social media appeared to show a snake handler removing one of the reptiles from the home. Authorities have not publicly commented on the incident.
Originally from Enugu State, Nwangene gained national attention as a contestant on season three of The Voice Nigeria, where she impressed judges by turning two chairs during her blind audition with a rendition of Rihanna’s Take a Bow. The performance continues to draw viewers online and helped establish her as a rising talent.
Beyond reality television, she remained active in Nigeria’s music scene, sharing original songs and covers on YouTube and collaborating with other artists. Just days before her death, she had been in the studio recording a feature for an upcoming album by Abuja-based musician Tbrass.
In an emotional tribute, Tbrass described her passing as “an irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music society and Nigeria at large,” noting her cultural impact and the emotional depth of her music. “The pain of saying goodbye to someone whose voice and energy brought joy, inspiration, and even healing to many is heavy,” he wrote.
Ezugwu told BBC Africa that Nwangene had been planning her first solo concert for 2026, underscoring the sense of unrealized potential surrounding her sudden death. Details of her burial arrangements are expected to be announced through the Amemuso Choir’s official channels.
Her death has sparked widespread grief across Nigeria’s creative community, where many have described her as a gifted performer whose life and career were cut tragically short.
