Tragic Loss: ‘The Voice Nigeria’ Alum Ifunanya Nwangene Dies at 26 After Snake Bite
The Nigerian music community is mourning the sudden passing of Ifunanya Nwangene, a standout contestant from Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria. The 26-year-old singer and architect reportedly died following a tragic encounter with a snake in her Abuja residence.
According to reports from BBC Africa, the incident occurred in the early hours of January 31 while Nwangene was asleep. A close collaborator, Hillary Obinna, shared that the bite startled her awake. In a chilling discovery, two snakes were later found inside her home.
Her journey to medical care was fraught with complications. Nwangene first sought assistance at a local clinic, which unfortunately did not have antivenom in stock. She was eventually transferred to the Federal Medical Center, where music director Sam C. Ezugwu later confirmed her untimely passing.
“A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world,” the Amemuso Choir, where she sang as a soprano, said in a poignant statement. “Her voice and spirit will be deeply missed.”
Hailing from Enugu but based in the capital city of Abuja, Nwangene successfully balanced a career in architecture with her passion for music. She became a household name after her powerful audition of Rihanna’s “Take a Bow” earned her chair turns from the judges. Since then, she had cultivated a loyal following by sharing soulful covers and original work across social media platforms.
The loss has sent shockwaves through the local industry. Nigerian artist Tbrass, who had recently collaborated with Nwangene, described her death as an “irreparable loss” to the nation’s music scene. “The pain of saying goodbye to someone whose voice and energy brought joy, inspiration, and even healing to many is heavy,” he shared in a heartfelt tribute.
Before the tragedy, Nwangene was looking toward a bright future, with Ezugwu noting that she was actively preparing for her debut solo concert slated for 2026. Official funeral arrangements are expected to be announced via the Amemuso Choir’s social channels.
