Snake Bite: Why we lost singer Nanyah – FMC Jabi CMD

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, Professor Saad Ahmed, has explained why doctors at the hospital could not save Abuja-based singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, after she suffered a cobra bite at her residence.

Ahmed told journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 budget defence session before the Senate Committee on Health that the singer was brought to the hospital more than two hours after the incident, by which time the venom had already spread through her system.

The CMD spoke about a week after the death of Nwangene, who was reportedly bitten by a cobra in her home.

He dismissed claims circulating on social media that anti-venom was not administered to the victim, stressing that medical personnel acted promptly on her arrival.

According to him, two doses of anti-venom were given immediately, but the delay before she got to the hospital had already caused severe systemic damage.

Ahmed described cobra venom as extremely dangerous and stressed that time is critical in such emergencies.

He said earlier treatment, usually within minutes of a bite, significantly improves survival chances.

The FMC boss described the incident as a wake-up call for the public and healthcare facilities, noting that FMC Jabi had anti-snake venom in stock and emergency staff fully available when the patient arrived.

Ahmed also used the opportunity to advocate the inclusion of state and private hospitals in Nigeria’s centralised housemanship system for fresh medical graduates.

He said expanding the system would help address the shortage of placement slots for young doctors, noting that training capacity depends on available beds, specialists and medical facilities.

He added that broader participation by more hospitals would strengthen medical training and reduce pressure on federal tertiary hospitals.