Was Singer Nanyah’s Death Preventable? Snake-Bite Tragedy Exposes Nigeria’s Antivenom Crisis

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The death of Nwangene “Nanyah,” a 26-year-old singer and former Voice Nigeria contestant, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s creative community and reignited urgent debate about the country’s chronic shortage of antivenom.

Nanyah was reportedly bitten on January 31 by what eyewitnesses described as a grey or cobra-like snake. She was first taken to a hospital in Lugbe, Abuja, where lifesaving antivenom was unavailable. She was then rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, where medical staff acted swiftly to stabilize her condition.

Despite prompt intervention, she developed severe neurotoxic complications, a known effect of venom from certain snake species. Friends and associates reportedly searched desperately for additional antivenom as hospital supplies ran low, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Nanyah later died.

Her passing has once again cast a harsh spotlight on Nigeria’s fragile snake-bite response system. The country records thousands of snake bites every year, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, yet access to effective antivenom remains inconsistent. Health experts point to the high cost of antivenom, strict cold-chain storage requirements, and limited local production as major obstacles.

Public health advocate and medical doctor Dr. Aproko Doctor used the incident to educate the public on evidence-based first aid for snake bites. He emphasized the importance of pressure bandaging, immobilizing the affected limb, and immediate transport to a hospital, while strongly warning against unproven home remedies.

“Practices like drinking plantain juice or applying herbal mixtures delay proper treatment and can cost lives,” he cautioned.

Tributes have poured in from fans, fellow artists, and social media users, many describing Nanyah as a talented young musician with a promising future. Beyond the grief, her death has sparked renewed calls for government action, improved antivenom availability, and stronger emergency preparedness nationwide.

As Nigerians mourn the loss of a rising star, a painful question lingers: would timely access to antivenom have changed the outcome—and how many more lives must be lost before snake-bite treatment becomes reliably available across the country?