FMC says late arrival after snakebite caused singer Nanyah’s death

• The hospital says the victim arrived over two hours after being bitten
• Anti-venom was administered, contrary to social media claims
• Senate urges stronger emergency response systems nationwide

Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, has said it could not save Abuja-based singer Ifunanya ‘Nanyah’ Nwangene because she was brought to the hospital more than two hours after suffering a snakebite.

Saad Ahmed, chief medical director of the hospital, said the delay meant the venom had already spread through her system before treatment could take effect. Nwangene, 26, died earlier this month after reportedly being bitten by a cobra at her residence, sparking widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s emergency healthcare response.

Ahmed spoke on Saturday while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the Senate Committee on Health’s 2026 budget defence session, where he dismissed claims circulating online that the hospital failed to administer anti-venom upon her arrival.

Hospital says anti-venom was given but the venom had spread

The FMC chief said two doses of anti-snake venom were administered immediately after Nwangene arrived at the facility, insisting the hospital had sufficient stock and trained staff on the ground at the time.

He explained that cobra venom is among the most potent and dangerous, and that treatment is most effective within the first few minutes after a bite. According to him, the delay of more than two hours significantly reduced the chances of survival, as the venom had already caused systemic damage by the time medical intervention began.

Read also: Senate urges mandatory antivenom stocking in hospitals after singer’s death

Ahmed described the incident as a reminder of the urgency of emergency response timelines in cases involving snakebites and other life-threatening situations.

Senate pushes coordinated emergency response across hospitals

Following Nwangene’s death, the Senate urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration and state governments to establish stronger emergency referral and response systems linking public and private hospitals.

Lawmakers said such coordination would improve access to timely care and prevent avoidable deaths during medical emergencies. FMC had earlier rejected claims that negligence contributed to the singer’s death, maintaining that appropriate protocols were followed once she arrived.