Nigerian singer Ifunanya “Nanyah” Nwangene died Saturday after being bitten by a venomous snake as she slept. She was 26.
Ifunanya is best known for her appearance on Season 3 of “The Voice Nigeria.”
She died at a Nigerian hospital, her choir director Sam C. Ezugwu confirmed in a Facebook post on Sunday.
“Amemuso Choir regrets to announce the sudden demise of our beloved Soprano, Ifunaya Nwangene. A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world.”
According to BBC Africa, a snake bit Ifunanya, waking her up in the middle of the night. She went to a hospital seeking help, but the hospital didn’t have anti-venom in stock.
She was sent to another hospital but she died before she could receive the anti-venom.
Two venomous snakes were later found inside her house.
The singer died 2 days after she teased a new song with Nigerian musician Tbrass.
“An irreplaceable loss to the Abuja music society and Nigeria at large,” TBrass wrote in a post on Instagram. “My hand and heart feels very heavy writing this, because it is unimaginable losing such a young promising great, talented music artist who touched so many lives, it is very heartbreaking—especially in Nigeria where music runs deep in our souls and connects us all.”
Fans were heartbroken on social media.
One fan wrote: “Sing with the angels in heaven darling. I knew you since the days of ‘The Voice Nigeria’. It is well. So unbelievable.”
Another fan wrote: “The stage is heaven now. Sing to the angels and rest in eternal harmony. Forever in our hearts.”
A third person commented: “I will definitely tell my unborn children about the Angelic voice that captured my heart on the 27th of December 2025 at my church House on the rock Abuja. I still have the beautiful video I took while you were singing, girl.”
