Tragic End: FMC CMD Reveals What Went Wrong In Abuja Singer Nanyah’s Case

Speaking on Saturday during the Senate Committee on Health’s 2026 budget defence, Ahmed said the singer’s late arrival at the hospital significantly reduced the chances of successful treatment, even though anti-snake venom was available and administered.

Addressing claims circulating on social media, the FMC boss refuted allegations that the hospital failed to give her anti-venom. He stated that Nwangene arrived at the facility more than two hours after the bite and had already developed signs of systemic envenomation.

“She presented to our hospital over two hours after she was bitten by the cobra, and by that time, the venom had already spread through her system,” Ahmed said.

He explained that two doses of anti-snake venom were administered promptly, contrary to online reports suggesting otherwise. According to him, the first dose was given through infusion, followed by a second dose shortly after.

“Despite this, the venom had already gone systemic, and we all know that cobra venom is extremely potent,” he added.

Ahmed emphasised that prompt medical attention is crucial in snakebite cases, noting that anti-venom is most effective when administered within 10 to 15 minutes of a bite.

Nanyah’s death had triggered widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians blaming weak emergency response systems and alleged medical negligence. However, Ahmed insisted that FMC Abuja was adequately prepared to handle such emergencies.

“We had anti-snake venom in stock, our emergency services are well equipped, and our personnel were fully available,” he said.

He described the incident as a reminder of the need to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency healthcare framework.

In response to the tragedy, the Senate urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and state governments to develop a coordinated emergency referral and response system that would link public and private hospitals to ensure faster treatment during emergencies.

Ahmed also used the opportunity to support ongoing discussions on expanding the centralised housemanship system to include state and private hospitals.

He noted that while federal hospitals currently handle housemanship training, limited capacity remains a challenge.

“Housemanship is not like increasing classroom size; it depends on bed capacity, the number of specialists, and available facilities,” he explained.

According to him, involving state and private hospitals in the centralised system would help resolve the shortage of housemanship placements.

“If state governments key into the centralised system, it will make a significant difference,” he said.