By Adesakin Adefemi
Grammy-nominated afro-house singer Niniola Apata has paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, Michael Ndika, saying he was the driving force behind her music career and would not let her quit the industry.
Ndika, Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform focused on afro-house and contemporary African music, died on May 19, 2026, at the age of 44. His death was disclosed by Niniola last week.
In a video shared on X by @ChuksEricE on Friday, the singer spoke through tears during activities held in honour of her husband. She described their relationship as a “love story” and credited Ndika with shaping her career and personal life.
“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 Michael,” she said.
Niniola said Ndika met her when she was still raw and promised to make her a superstar. She said he kept that promise, serving as the engine behind her success while she remained the face and voice.
The singer revealed that she once considered taking a break from music, but her husband persuaded her to continue. She said his encouragement kept her going even when she wanted to step away.
She also reflected on how much of her daily life revolved around Ndika. “The first person I saw in the morning was Michael. And the last person who closed my eyes at night was Michael. So now what do I do? Michael was the best person that ever happened to me,” she said.
Niniola thanked the Ndika family for accepting her and acknowledged the shock that followed news of his death. She also apologised to those who felt hurt by how the disclosure was handled.
The announcement of Ndika’s passing surprised many fans and industry observers, as the public was largely unaware that the singer had been married for 13 years.
