More facts have emerged regarding the death of aspiring singer Ifunanya Nwangene who died on Saturday after being bitten by a snake in the capital, Abuja.
There has been an outpouring of grief and anger over what many Nigerians see as avoidable tragedy in a country that continue to waste its youths as corrupt, insensitive and vile political leaders continue to squander the country’s resources.
Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, rose to prominence after appearing on The Voice Nigeria, the local version of the international TV singing competition, in 2021. She was known for her versatility, blending jazz, opera, classical music and soul.
Videos shared on social media show a snake handler removing a snake from her apartment, as people nearby can be heard screaming: “It is a cobra!”
A close friend, Sam Ezugwu, the co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir where she sang, told the BBC that Nwangene was a “rising star”.
He said she had been planning to stage her first solo concert later this year. She was also a trained architect.
Hillary Obinna, another friend who sang alongside her, told the BBC he was told she had been asleep when “the snake bite woke her up”.
He said that two snakes were later found in the house.
She first sought treatment at a nearby clinic but they did not have any antivenom so she went to a hospital.
Ezugwu said he rushed to the hospital on Saturday after learning that she had been taken there. He said the hospital had one of the required antivenoms but not the other.
“While they were trying to stabilise her, she could not speak but she could make hand gestures. She was struggling to breathe,” he added.
Ezugwu said he drove out to search for the missing antivenom but returned to find that she had died.
He said the entire choir went to the hospital that evening, “hoping that a miracle would happen”.
Obinna described Nwangene as “a very wonderful girl, she is humble – very intelligent and very talented”.
“Everybody is shattered. We could not sleep at night.”
Her death comes amid a renewed debate in Nigeria about the quality of healthcare and patient safety, following a series of allegations of medical negligence.
These include the recent death of novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son. The hospital in that case has denied any wrongdoing.
In response to the public outcry, Nigeria’s health minister has acknowledged “systemic challenges” in the health system and announced the creation of a national task force on “clinical governance and patient safety”.
Most snake bite victims in Nigeria are believed to live in rural areas and many Nigerians are shocked at Nwangene’s death in an upmarket part of the capital.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says venomous snakebites are a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries.
In Africa, between 435,000 and 580,000 snakebites requiring treatment are recorded each year, according to the WHO. The burden falls mainly on women, children and farmers in rural communities, where health systems are weakest and medical resources limited.
Those bites cause about 30,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa, though some estimates suggest the real number is much higher.
Experts say the shortage of antivenom is a major reason the scale of the problem is hard to assess. It leads many bite victims to seek care from traditional healers, meaning cases often go unrecorded.
Even where antivenom is available, it is often too expensive, and storage is difficult because most antivenoms require refrigeration in areas with unreliable electricity.
Our Story by FMC Jabi Abuja
Meanwhile the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, has dismissed allegations circulating on social media suggesting that it failed to provide adequate medical care to Ms. #Ifunany Lucy Nwagene, who died from complications resulting from a snake bite.
In a statement signed by the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Bioku Muftau, the hospital disclosed that Ms. Nwagene was brought to the facility on January 31, 2026, after suffering a snake bite that led to severe neurotoxic complications.
According to the statement, medical personnel at the centre responded immediately upon her arrival, administering emergency care that included resuscitation, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and polyvalent anti-snake venom.
Read the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
CLARIFICATION ON RECENT EVENTS REGARDING THE CASE OF LATE IFUNANYA LUCY NWANGENE
Abuja, Nigeria | 01 February 2026
We wish to address the circulating discussion on social media concerning the unfortunate case of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwagene, who tragically passed away due to neurotoxic complications following a snake bite on January 31, 2026.
First and foremost, we express our deepest condolences to the Nwagene family during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of a loved one is never easy, and our thoughts are with them.
We want to clarify that the management team at Federal Medical Centre, Abuja acted promptly and with the utmost care upon Ms. Nwagene’s arrival. Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.
After a thorough but quick evaluation, it was clear that Ms. Nwagene suffered severe neurotoxic complications from the snake bite. Despite all efforts to stabilise her condition and transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment, she experienced a sudden deterioration just before the transfer. Our team of professionals worked diligently to provide CPR and other life-saving measures; however, despite these efforts, we were unable to revive her.
We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily. The claims of non-availability of anti-snake venom and inadequate response are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation. We are committed to transparency and integrity in our practices and will continue to pursue excellence in patient care.
In light of these events, we encourage our community to engage with credible sources for information and updates rather than relying on social media speculation. We remain available for any further inquiries or clarifications.
Thank you for your understanding.
DR. BIOKU MUFTAU,
Head of Clinical Service
Federal Medical Centre, Jabi
With BBC report
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