Nigerian Afro-house singer and songwriter Niniola Apata, popularly known as Niniola, has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika. The Grammy-nominated artist shared the heartbreaking news through a series of emotional Instagram story posts early Wednesday morning, revealing a long-term marriage that she had previously kept away from the public eye.
Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a prominent multimedia platform focusing on Afro-house and contemporary African music. In her posts, Niniola wrote, "God took him," followed by a second post confirming his passing: "My husband died." In a subsequent emotional message shared alongside photos of the couple, she added, "God took him. 13 years. 13 f_ing years."
The exact circumstances surrounding Ndika's death have not been made public. Niniola, who is the older sister of fellow Nigerian music star Teni Entertainer, has always maintained a strict separation between her private family life and her professional career.
Niniola's Musical Journey
Niniola's journey into the music industry began in 2013 when she auditioned for and successfully joined the sixth season of the reality music television show Project Fame West Africa. Entering the competition as an aspiring artist, she quickly distinguished herself through her expansive vocal range and unique stage presence.
During her time in the Project Fame academy, Niniola was recognized by viewers and judges alike for her artistic versatility. While she initially projected a reserved, introverted demeanor during the early stages of the competition, her performances ultimately established her as one of the season's standout contestants. A key highlight was the live performance of her original composition "Itura," produced by Cobhams Asuquo, which gained widespread praise from the academy's faculty. Niniola finished the reality show as the third runner-up.
She later credited her training within the academy as a critical foundation for her survival in the music industry, noting in subsequent interviews that the rigors of the competition left her "battle-ready" and prepared for the commercial market. Following the finale, she used her competition prize money to independently fund her debut career steps, securing management and seeking out production talents to launch her professional brand.
Breakthrough and Success
In 2014, shortly after exiting Project Fame, Niniola released her official debut single "Ibadi," produced by veteran producer Sarz. The track achieved critical acclaim and topped national radio charts, introducing her self-styled genre "Afro-house" — a deliberate sonic blend of traditional Afrobeats and house music structures. She continued to solidify her discography with subsequent releases such as "Soke," "Gbowode," and "Akara Oyibo."
Niniola's commercial breakthrough came in 2017 with the release of her hit single "Maradona" from her debut studio album This Is Me. The track achieved extensive international airplay, spending 13 weeks on South Africa's Metro FM chart and peaking at number one for six consecutive weeks. The success of "Maradona" led to the track being certified gold and later platinum in South Africa.
Her music subsequently attracted the attention of high-profile international figures, leading to direct recognition and collaborations with artists such as DJ Snake, Drake, and Timbaland. In 2019, American pop icon Beyoncé sampled elements of "Maradona" for the track "Find Your Way Back," featured on the official soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift. For her contributions as a songwriter and composer on the project, Niniola officially received a Grammy Award nomination certificate from the Recording Academy. Over the course of her career, she has secured multiple industry accolades, including the Headies Award for Best Vocal Performance (Female) and other honors.
