Ifunanya Nwangene

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, a former contestant on Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, has died at the age of 26 after suffering a snakebite, according to statements released by members of her choir and confirmed by local media outlets.

Nwangene passed away on January 31 at a hospital in Nigeria after complications related to the bite.

The incident reportedly occurred in Abuja, where she had been living. She was originally from Enugu State in southeastern Nigeria.

Her death was confirmed by Sam C. Ezugwu, music director of the Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene served as a soprano.

In a public statement issued on February 1, Ezugwu described her passing as sudden and deeply painful for the music community.

“Amemuso Choir regrets to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano,” the statement read.

“A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”

Fellow choir member Hillary Obinna also spoke publicly about the loss, stating that the singer’s condition worsened rapidly after the snakebite despite medical intervention. Additional medical details have not been officially released.

Ifunanya Nwangene gained wider recognition through her participation in The Voice Nigeria, where she impressed audiences with her vocal strength and stage presence.

Beyond television, she was known for her active involvement in church and community music initiatives, particularly through the Amemuso Choir.

Friends and colleagues described her as disciplined, faith-driven, and committed to developing her artistry.

Many within Nigeria’s gospel and contemporary music circles expressed shock at the news, noting that she was in the early stages of what many believed would become a promising national career.

Her passing has prompted renewed discussions about emergency response and treatment accessibility in cases of venomous snakebites in Nigeria.

While such incidents are more common in rural areas, health professionals note that snakebites remain a public health concern across different regions of the country.

Ifunanya Nwangene is survived by her family and a close-knit musical community that continues to mourn her loss.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by her relatives in the coming days.