News
VIDEO: Niniola breaks down in tears as she reveals late husband kept her from quitting music
Nigerian Afro-house singer Niniola Apata has paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, Michael Ndika, recounting how he was the driving force behind her music career and persuaded her not to take a break from the industry.
In a video recorded during recent activities held in honour of her husband, the Grammy-nominated artiste tearfully described their relationship as a love story and credited Ndika with transforming her life after they met.
Ndika, who was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform focusing on Afro-house and contemporary African music, passed away on May 19, 2026, at the age of 44.
Speaking through tears, Niniola revealed that her husband did everything for her and was constantly encouraging her career despite her naturally reserved personality. She said he repeatedly assured her that he would make her a superstar and remained the engine behind her success.
The singer disclosed that even when she considered stepping away from music, Ndika refused to let her give up.
She described him as the first person she saw every morning and the last person who closed her eyes at night, adding that his death had left an immense void in her life.
Niniola also thanked the Ndika family for accepting her and apologised to those who may have felt hurt by the circumstances surrounding the public disclosure of his death.
The news of Ndika’s passing came as a surprise to many fans and industry observers, as the singer had largely kept her 13-year marriage out of the public eye.
