Life is cruel. One minute, you’re a rising star with a bright future ahead of you, on the cusp of achieving your dreams after years of hard work. The next, you’re dead in circumstances you couldn’t possibly have done anything about.
The Voice contestant Ifunanya Nwangene was apparently on the verge of stardom, parlaying her visibility on the 2021 season of the Nigerian version of the show. Since then, she’d built a reputation as a versatile singer, blending jazz, opera, classical music, and soul.
Now, at the age of just 26, her friends and family are in mourning after she died over the weekend after being bitten in her sleep by a venomous snake. As reported by the BBC, her friend Hillary Obinna said Nwangene was sleeping peacefully until the snake struck, with the bite waking her up.
Social media posts show two snakes being removed from her apartment, as people nearby can be heard yelling: “Two snakes in her house… Jesus!”
Breaking🚨: The snakes who killed Ifunanya Nwangene, known as Nanyah Music.
— bradaski♧ (@uhggie_) February 1, 2026
May her soul rest in peace🕊 pic.twitter.com/xj9duMGXU7
Nwangene rushed to a nearby clinic, but they didn’t have any antivenom. She was then taken to The Federal Medical Centre hospital, only to discover that they (as per the BBC) “had one of the required antivenoms but not the other”.
She was struggling to breathe
Another friend, Sam Ezugwu, detailed her final moments:
“While they were trying to stabilize her, she could not speak but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,”
Ezugwu says he began a frantic search for the missing antivenom but couldn’t find any, returning to the hospital to discover Nwangene had died.
The hospital tells a different story, denying that they were missing the crucial antivenom and saying Ezugwu’s version of events is “unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation”. They say:
“Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom. … “We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily.”
Farewell Ifunanya Nwangene, the snake bite didn't kill you. Nigeria's failed healthcare system did. 😔😥😭
— Dear Diary (@IhunanyaV56148) February 1, 2026
She made it to the hospital, but where was antivenom? This isn't fate; it's neglect. #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/fjb25HnWQU
Nwangene’s death has sparked controversy in Nigeria over falling standards of healthcare, but, judging by the reaction on social media, it’s safe to assume the public believes Nwangene’s friend’s version of events over the hospital.
Published: Feb 4, 2026 09:47 am