Niniola Announces First Single Since Husband’s Death

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Nigerian Afro-house singer Niniola Apata is set to make her return to the music scene with a new single, “O Du Mi”, following the death of her husband, Michael Ndika.

The song is scheduled for release on August 14, 2026, and will mark Niniola’s first major musical project since the passing of her husband in May.

Ndika, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview and also managed Niniola’s career, was married to the singer for 13 years. His death came as a major personal loss to the artiste, who openly shared her grief with fans and followers in the weeks that followed.

Niniola Opens Up About Her Loss

Following Ndika’s death, Niniola took to social media to express the pain of losing her husband and described the difficulty of coming to terms with his absence.

In some of her emotional posts, the singer wrote, “God took him” and “My husband died,” offering fans a glimpse into the depth of her grief.

She later paid tribute to Ndika by describing him as her “best friend, confidant, pillar, business partner and husband”.

Beyond being her life partner, Ndika also played an important role in Niniola’s professional journey, making his death both a personal and career-related loss for the singer.

‘O Du Mi’ Marks A New Chapter

According to Niniola, her upcoming single reflects the emotional journey she has experienced since losing her husband.

The song explores themes of love, loss and healing, allowing the singer to express emotions that she may find difficult to communicate through ordinary words.

While unveiling a preview of the track, Niniola wrote, “Some feelings are too deep for words. So I put them in a song.”

The statement has generated anticipation among fans who are eager to hear how the singer channels her personal experience into her music.

For Niniola, the release represents more than a new song. It marks her gradual return to an industry she stepped away from while dealing with the death of her husband.

Singer Gradually Returns To Spotlight

Although Niniola took time away from the public eye following Ndika’s death, she has gradually begun making appearances again.

The singer was recently spotted at the album launch of her younger sister, Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni.

Her return to public events has coincided with preparations for the release of “O Du Mi”, signalling that she is slowly finding her way back to music while continuing to process her loss.

Speaking ahead of one of her performances, Niniola acknowledged how difficult it has been to return to the stage without her husband.

“There are no words for a moment like this, but I know he’d want me to keep singing, to keep showing up, and to keep sharing the gift we’ve always believed in,” she said.

Continuing Her Musical Journey

Niniola has established herself as one of Nigeria’s prominent Afro-house artistes, with a career built around a distinctive blend of African influences and contemporary sounds.

She is known for songs including “Maradona” and “Designer”, which have contributed to her reputation within the Nigerian music industry.

With “O Du Mi”, the singer is preparing to begin another chapter of her career while carrying the memories of the man who was both her husband and professional partner.

The August 14 release is therefore expected to be an emotional moment for Niniola and her listeners, as the singer uses music to navigate grief, remember her husband and continue moving forward.

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#ODuMi 

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