• Ifunanya Nwangene dies in Abuja
• Not all required antivenoms were initially available

Nigeria mourned the passing of young singer Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, on Saturday after being bitten by a snake in her apartment in the capital, Abuja.

Nwangene gained prominence in 2021 after participating in The Voice Nigeria, the local version of the international singing competition, and was known for her musical versatility, blending jazz, opera, classical, and soul.

A close friend, Sam Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir where she sang, described Nwangene as a rising star. She had been scheduled to perform her first solo concert later this year.

She was also a trained architect.

Another friend, Hillary Obinna, said Nwangene was asleep when the snake bite woke her, adding that two snakes were later found in the home.

She first sought treatment at a nearby clinic but did not find the proper antivenom, prompting a transfer to a hospital, which had one of the required antivenoms but not the other.

Ezugwu said, “While they were trying to stabilize her, she could not speak but gestured with her hands and struggled to breathe.”

He added that he went to search for the missing antivenom but returned to find that she had passed away. The entire choir went to the hospital that evening, hoping for a miracle.

In an official statement, the hospital denied any shortage of antivenom and said claims of inadequate response were “unfounded and do not reflect the reality.”

The Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, said on Sunday: “Our medical team provided immediate and appropriate care, including resuscitation, IV fluids, intranasal oxygen, and administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.”

The hospital confirmed that a rapid assessment showed Nwangene suffered severe complications from the bite, and her condition deteriorated suddenly before transfer to intensive care, leaving doctors unable to save her.

The statement concluded: “We stand by the quality of care and the dedication of our medical team daily.”