Nigerian afro-house star Niniola Apata has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Michael Ndika, revealing that he played a crucial role in shaping her music career and consistently encouraged her to remain active in the industry even during moments when she considered stepping away.
The emotional tribute was captured in a video believed to have been recorded during events organised in honour of her late husband. The footage, which was shared on social media by @ChuksEricE on Friday, showed the Grammy-nominated singer reflecting on their relationship, marriage, and the significant impact Ndika had on both her personal and professional life.
Michael Ndika, the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform dedicated to promoting afro-house and contemporary African music, passed away on May 19, 2026, at the age of 44.
Speaking emotionally before family members, friends, and supporters, Niniola described their journey together as a remarkable love story and credited her husband with being the foundation of many of her achievements.
“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.
The singer explained that her late husband had a transformative influence on her life from the moment they met. According to her, Ndika introduced her to new opportunities, expanded her perspective, and continuously motivated her to pursue her dreams despite her naturally reserved and private personality.
She recalled how he repeatedly expressed confidence in her potential and assured her that she would become a successful artiste. According to Niniola, his unwavering belief in her abilities eventually helped her achieve the level of recognition she enjoys today.
The award-winning singer disclosed that while she became the public face of her music, her husband remained the driving force behind the scenes, providing support, guidance, and motivation throughout her career.
According to her, there were moments when she contemplated taking a break from music, but Ndika consistently encouraged her to continue pursuing her passion and remain committed to her career goals.
“But Michael met me raw, and he said, I’ll make you a superstar.’ And he did. I was just the face and the voice, but Michael was the engine.
“Even when I decided to, you know, give music a break, he didn’t let it,” she said.
Niniola also spoke about the profound emptiness created by her husband’s death, describing him as the most significant person in her life and someone whose presence shaped her daily routine.
Reflecting on the reality of life without him, the singer recounted how Ndika was the first person she saw every morning and the last person she interacted with before going to sleep each night.
“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? Tell me, what do I do? Michael was the best thing, the best person that ever happened to me,” she said.
The artiste also expressed appreciation to the Ndika family for embracing her throughout their marriage and standing by her during the difficult period following his passing.
She acknowledged the emotional shock experienced by many people after news of his death became public and offered an apology to anyone who felt hurt by the circumstances surrounding the announcement.
The revelation of Ndika’s passing attracted significant attention across the entertainment industry and among fans after Niniola publicly disclosed last week that her husband of 13 years had died.
The announcement came as a surprise to many followers of the singer, as a large section of the public was unaware that she had been married. The couple had largely kept their relationship away from the spotlight throughout their years together.
Since the announcement, fans, colleagues, and industry stakeholders have continued to pay tribute to Ndika, remembering him not only as a media entrepreneur but also as a key figure who contributed to the growth and promotion of African music through his work with NaijaReview.
Niniola’s emotional remarks have since generated widespread reactions online, with many supporters offering condolences and praising the enduring bond she shared with her late husband.
