Afro-house singer, Niniola Apata, is set to make her major musical comeback with the release of a new single, “O Du Mi”, months after the death of her husband, Michael Ndika.
The song, scheduled for release on August 14, 2026, will be Niniola’s first major musical project since Ndika’s death in May.
Ndika, who was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview and also served as the singer’s manager, was married to Niniola for 13 years.
Following his death, the singer shared emotional posts on social media as she came to terms with the loss, including messages such as “God took him” and “My husband died.”
She later described Ndika as her “best friend, confidant, pillar, business partner and husband”, reflecting the depth of their personal and professional relationship.
According to the singer, “O Du Mi” is inspired by a deeply personal period in her life, with the song exploring themes of love, loss and emotional healing.
“Some feelings are too deep for words. So I put them in a song,” she wrote while sharing a preview of the track.
Despite the loss, Niniola has gradually resumed public engagements, including live performances and other appearances.
She was also recently spotted at the album launch of her younger sister, Teniola Apata.
Ahead of one of her performances, the singer acknowledged the emotional difficulty of returning to the stage following her husband’s death, but said she believed he would have wanted her to continue with her music.
“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.
The release of “O Du Mi” is expected to usher in a new chapter in Niniola’s career as she continues to develop her distinctive Afro-house sound while navigating a deeply personal period of grief.
Niniola remains one of Nigeria’s prominent Afro-house artistes, known for blending traditional African sounds with contemporary musical influences.
She gained widespread recognition with hit songs including “Maradona” and “Designer”, establishing herself as one of the leading voices in Nigeria’s Afro-house music scene.
