Nigerian singer Niniola has lost her husband, Michael Ndika, after 13 years together. The “Maradona” crooner announced the heartbreaking news in a series of emotional posts shared on her Instagram Story in the early hours of Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
In the posts, the singer expressed her grief with short but painful messages, writing, “God took him,” “My husband died,” and “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years,” alongside photos of herself and her late husband.
Michael Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform focused on afro-house and contemporary African music. Details surrounding the cause of his death have not yet been made public.
Following the announcement, fans, colleagues, and followers flooded Niniola’s social media with condolence messages for the singer. Many also expressed surprise that Niniola had been married for over a decade, as she had largely kept her private life away from the spotlight.
Despite her bold personality and energetic afro-house sound, Niniola was known for maintaining a very private family life throughout her career.
Born on December 15, 1986, Niniola rose to fame after participating in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. She later gained widespread recognition with hit songs like “Ibadi” and “Maradona,” becoming one of Nigeria’s leading afro-house artistes. She is also the elder sister of Teni, popularly known as Teni The Entertainer.
