Tragedy in Abuja: The Death of Rising Singer Ifunanya Nwangene Sparks National Grief
Frank Ocansey
Editor, PulseView
Tragedy in Abuja: There has been widespread mourning across Nigeria following the death of a young singer who died on Saturday after being bitten by a snake in the capital, Abuja.
Ifunanya Nwangene, aged 26, gained national recognition after appearing on The Voice Nigeria in 2021, the local edition of the globally acclaimed singing competition. She was celebrated for her musical range, effortlessly blending jazz, opera, classical music and soul.
Footage circulating on social media shows a snake handler extracting a reptile from her apartment, as distressed voices are heard shouting: “It is a cobra!”
A close friend, Sam Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir, where Ifunanya Nwangene was a member, described her to the BBC as a “rising star.”
He said she had been preparing to headline her first solo concert later this year. Beyond music, she was also a trained architect.
Another friend and fellow singer, Hillary Obinna, told the BBC he was informed that Ifunanya Nwangene had been asleep when the snake bit her, waking her suddenly. He added that two snakes were later discovered in the house.
According to those close to her, she initially sought help at a nearby clinic, but was referred to a hospital because the clinic lacked antivenom.
Tragedy in Abuja
Ezugwu said he rushed to the hospital after learning she had been admitted. He explained that the facility reportedly had only one of the required antivenoms, while another was unavailable.
“While doctors were trying to stabilise her, she was unable to speak but could still communicate with hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,” he said.
Ezugwu added that he left the hospital to search for the missing antivenom, but returned to the devastating news that she had passed away.
“The entire choir went to the hospital that evening, believing and praying for a miracle,” he said.
However, the hospital has rejected claims that antivenom was unavailable or that its response was inadequate.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, said its medical team provided immediate and appropriate care, including resuscitation, intravenous fluids, oxygen support, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.
The hospital said a rapid assessment revealed that Ifunanya Nwangene had already suffered severe complications from the bite. Her condition reportedly worsened suddenly before she could be transferred to intensive care, and efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
“We stand by the quality of care and the commitment our medical team demonstrates every day,” the statement said.
Obinna described his late friend as kind, humble, intelligent and exceptionally talented, adding: “Everyone is devastated. None of us could sleep.”
Her death has reignited public debate in Nigeria over healthcare quality and patient safety, following a series of high-profile allegations of medical negligence.
Among them is the recent death of the 21-month-old son of acclaimed novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a case in which the hospital involved has denied wrongdoing.
In response to growing public pressure, Nigeria’s health minister has acknowledged long-standing systemic weaknesses in the healthcare system and announced the establishment of a national task force on clinical governance and patient safety.
Although snakebites in Nigeria mostly affect rural populations, many Nigerians have expressed shock that such a fatal incident occurred in a well-developed area of Abuja.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies venomous snakebites as a neglected public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
According to the WHO, between 435,000 and 580,000 snakebites requiring treatment occur in Africa each year. The majority affect women, children and farmers living in rural areas, where healthcare access is weakest.
Snakebites are estimated to cause around 30,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa, though experts believe the true figure may be significantly higher.
Health specialists say antivenom shortages remain a critical challenge, often forcing victims to seek help from traditional healers, resulting in many cases going unreported.
Even when antivenom is available, its high cost and storage requirements, including refrigeration in areas with unstable electricity, continue to limit access and effective treatment.
Source: BBC.com
Also read: Family of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie alleges negligence in son’s death; Lagos launches probe
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