Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has sparked concern among fans after appearing noticeably slimmer in her first public appearance since announcing the death of her husband, Michael Ndika, two months ago.
The Afro-house star recently returned to the public eye in videos shared online, prompting fans to express worry over her weight loss, with many linking her appearance to the emotional impact of her bereavement.
In a post shared via her Instagram Story, Niniola reflected on how her late husband admired her appearance.
“Michael… Loved me thick.
“You always loved me to be thick,” she wrote.
In another emotional message, the singer opened up about the pain of losing her husband.
“You should be here…
“Here with me…
“Death visited me and tore me apart….
“Where do I start from?
“How do I navigate this new and unbelievable reality?” she wrote.
Fans flooded social media with messages of support, encouraging the singer to stay strong as she continues to mourn.
Niniola announced her husband’s death in May through a series of posts on her Instagram Story.
“God took him,” she wrote in one post.
In another, she said, “My husband died.”
She later added, “God took him. 13 years. 13 fing years.”*
Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform focused on Afro-house and contemporary African music. The cause of his death was not made public.
Known for keeping her marriage private, Niniola rose to fame after competing in Project Fame West Africa in 2013 before gaining international recognition with her 2017 hit single Maradona.
