Dr. Saad Ahmed, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jabi, Abuja, has explained the circumstances surrounding the death of 26-year-old Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, who passed away on February 3 after being bitten by a cobra at her home.
Ahmed, speaking on Saturday during the Senate Committee on Health’s 2026 budget defence, said the late presentation of the victim made effective treatment difficult, despite the availability and administration of anti-snake venom.
Reacting to reports circulating on social media, Ahmed dismissed claims that Nwangene was not treated with anti-venom upon arrival.
He said, “She presented to our hospital over two hours after she was bitten by that cobra, and by that time, she had already started manifesting with some systemic envenomation.
“Contrary to what we see on social media, that we didn’t have snake venom, two doses were promptly given. First dose was given via infusion, and after that, another dose was administered.
“But of course, the venom had already gone systemic, and we all know the cobra is highly poisonous.”
Ahmed stressed that early intervention is critical in such cases.
“If she had presented much earlier, within 10 to 15 minutes, that’s usually when anti-venoms are most effective,” he noted.
The singer’s death had sparked public outrage and grief, with several social media users blaming poor emergency response systems and alleged medical negligence.
However, the FMC boss insisted the hospital was fully prepared. He added, “For FMC Abuja, we had anti-snake venom in stock, our emergency services are top-notch, and our staff were fully on ground.”
Ahmed described the incident as a wake-up call for broader improvements in Nigeria’s emergency healthcare system.
Following the singer’s death, the Senate called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and state governments to establish a coordinated emergency referral and response system, linking public and private hospitals to ensure timely treatment of medical emergencies.
