Ifunanya Nwangene, a Nigerian singer best known for her appearance on Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, has died after being bitten by a snake. She was 26.
The incident reportedly occurred on January 31 at her residence in Abuja, where she was bitten while asleep. "The bite is said to have woken her, and two snakes were later found inside the home," a collaborator, Hillary Obinna told newsmen. She was rushed to a nearby clinic, but antivenom was unavailable, prompting her transfer to a hospital for further treatment. Sadly, she did not survive.
Music director Sam C. Ezugwu confirmed her passing in a statement shared on social media, describing the death as sudden and heartbreaking. The hospital where she passed away was identified as the Federal Medical Center.
Members of the Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene sang as a soprano, also paid tribute to her. In a statement, the choir described her as a rising star whose voice, passion, and spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who encountered her music.
Born in Enugu State and based in Abuja, Nwangene balanced her music career with her profession as an architect. She rose to national attention on The Voice Nigeria after impressing the judges with her audition performance of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow.” After the show, she continued to share covers and original songs online, steadily building her artistry.
Following the news of her death, singer Tbrass, who recently collaborated with her, expressed deep sorrow, calling her passing an irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music community and the country at large. He noted that her voice and energy brought joy, inspiration, and healing to many.
At the time of her passing, Nwangene was reportedly preparing for her first solo concert, planned for 2026. Details of her funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by Amemuso Choir in due course.
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