Heartbreaking Story: Niniola Apata Reveals How Late Husband Blocked Her Exit From Music Career

Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has spoken about her late husband, Michael Ndika, reflecting on the significant role he played in both her personal life and music career.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a video shared online during a memorial gathering held in his honour, she revisited their relationship and how it influenced her growth as an artist and as a person.

Michael Ndika, the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a platform dedicated to African music, passed away on May 19, 2026, at the age of 44.

Niniola Apata described him as a strong pillar of support from the very beginning of her career, saying he encouraged her and gave her the confidence to continue pursuing music even when she considered stepping away.

She said he believed strongly in her talent and repeatedly assured her that he would help her achieve stardom.

The singer also reflected on how close they were in everyday life, noting that he played a central role in her routine and provided constant emotional support.

According to her, his passing has left a deep void in her life and completely altered her daily experience.

She also expressed gratitude to his family for accepting her and spoke about the difficulty of coping with the loss.

She said: “My story with Michael is a love story. Michael did everything for me. Everything was for me; he was breathing for me. He loved me, I loved him so much, and I learned so much from him. He met me raw and said, ‘I’ll make you a superstar,’ and he did. I was just the face and the voice, but Michael was the engine.

“Even when I wanted to take a break from music, he didn’t allow it. The first person I saw in the morning was Michael, and the last person at night was Michael. So now what do I do? Michael was the best thing that ever happened to me.