The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Health, working with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ensure the procurement, quality assurance, proper storage and nationwide availability of safe, effective and affordable antivenoms in both public and private hospitals.
The resolution follows widespread public outrage over the death of Abuja-based singer and former The Voice Nigeria contestant, Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as ‘Nanyah’, who reportedly died after suffering a snakebite and being unable to access antivenom treatment.
Lawmakers stressed that special attention must be given to high-risk areas where snakebites are more prevalent, noting that antivenoms and other critical antidotes should be readily available as part of emergency healthcare preparedness across the country.
Nwangene, 26, was reportedly bitten by a cobra at her residence in Lugbe, Abuja. According to a detailed account shared by her close friend, Kingsley Nwangene, the singer was asleep when she felt a sharp pain and discovered a snake in her room.
In an Instagram post, Kingsley said he received a distress call from her around 8:30am on Sunday.
“She said, ‘Emy, don’t panic, but a snake has bitten me. I’m on my way to the hospital,’” he wrote.
He explained that Nwangene immediately arranged a commercial motorcycle ride to Divine Health Hospital at the Trade Fair Mall in Lugbe, but was told the facility did not have antivenom.
“She then decided to go to another hospital that might have the antivenom,” Kingsley said, adding that he remained on the phone with her throughout the ordeal.
Final Hours Marked by Antivenom Shortage
The singer later arrived at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, at about 10am. According to Kingsley, staff at the emergency unit asked routine questions as her condition continued to deteriorate, while she repeatedly asked whether antivenom was available.
“She told me they said they would give her a drip,” he said.
Doctors reportedly removed the tourniquet she had tied around her arm and advised her to stay calm.
“She told me, ‘Emy, they have removed the thing I used to tie my hand.’ I felt relieved because she was finally at the hospital. I believed the doctors knew better,” Kingsley added.
Despite these efforts, Nwangene later died from the effects of the venom. Videos that later surfaced online showed a snake catcher handling a large snake allegedly found in her apartment.
Nwangene rose to national attention after appearing on The Voice Nigeria in 2021. Fondly referred to as the “Soprano Queen,” she was known for her powerful soprano voice and her ability to blend classical, jazz, R&B, soul and choral music. She was active in Abuja’s choral and creative music scene and was described by colleagues and fans as a “joy-giver” with an “angelic voice.”
Following her death, her body was exhumed and moved to Enugu State, according to a BBC report. The leader of the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society Choir, Sam Ezugwu, said the decision was taken by her father, who requested that his daughter’s body be transported to Enugu.
Nigeria records an estimated 20,000 snakebite cases annually, with about 2,000 deaths, according to a 2021 State Ministry of Health record.
