Nigerian Grammy-nominated afro-house singer Niniola Apata has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika. The news was shared by the artist in a series of emotional posts on her Instagram story early Wednesday morning.
“God took him,” she wrote in her first post. “My husband died,” she added in another, followed by a third post saying: “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years.” Each post was accompanied by a photo of the couple.
Michael Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform dedicated to afro-house and contemporary African music. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed, as Niniola has consistently kept her personal life private.
Niniola, 39, first gained fame as a top contestant on Project Fame West Africa in 2013 and has since become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated music exports. Her 2017 hit single Maradona earned international acclaim, drawing collaborations and recognition from global artists including DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland, and Beyoncé.
The Nigerian music community and fans alike have since expressed condolences to the artist during this difficult time.