Singer Niniola Apata is mourning the death of her husband and long-term manager, Michael Ndika.
The Grammy-nominated Afrobeats singer announced his death on May 20, 2026, via Instagram Stories. The cause of his death was, however, undisclosed.
According to reports, they were married for 13 years, news that has come as a surprise to fans and netizens alike.
Ndika was a Nigerian music executive and entrepreneur best known as the CEO of NaijaReview, which he founded in February 2011, establishing it initially as a music blog before growing it into a broader multimedia platform.
Reacting to the news of his death, a journalist, Fola Folayan, called him an OG in the music industry.
She wrote, “Michael was not just Niniola’s manager/husband.” He was a legend. An OG. One of the people who was in the game before many even knew there was a game. Michael created @naijareview
This was back when music blogging was still a thing, before “Afrobeats to the world,” before the global spotlight, and before the industry became what it is today. He was already there, giving Nigerian artists a platform and pushing Nigerian music with real commitment.
Michael was not just Niniola’s manager/husband.
He was a legend. An OG. One of the people who was in the game before many even knew there was a game.
Michael created @naijareview. This was back when music blogging was still a thing, before “Afrobeats to the world,” before the…
— FOLA FOLAYAN (@TheFavoredWoman) May 20, 2026
This news of his death has sparked various reactions on social media, with not a few praising Niniola for keeping her personal life private.
Him and Nini Kept their Relationship so Coded and I love that our Entire industry respected their Union. RIP my Good friend. This is Heartbreaking. 💔😢🕊️
— SizZzle. 😎🇳🇬 (@n6oflife6) May 20, 2026
how did you keep your husband private for 13yrs and updating us on his death?
you didn’t want his pictures on the internet when he was alive but now you’re posting it all over the internet now he’s gone. this doesn’t make sense at all //t.co/24mgSdPPsv
— 𝚃𝚎𝚗 𝙼𝚊𝚗 🍷 (@TenmanNoble1) May 20, 2026
Niniola the musician was married ke
I didn’t know oo
They kept it so private
Eyah, may her husband’s soul rest in peace 💔
This month should finish quick please
Wahala too much in this month 🤦— Ruthie✨💞 (@RuthieofBuj1) May 20, 2026
Niniola likely kept her marriage private to shield it from public opinions about her music style and stage looks because you people are badly behaved
— R (@Ra_heeemah) May 20, 2026
Niniola lost her husband after being married to him for 13 years.
Nigerians: “I never saw when she was married o.”
“Niniola was married?”
I even saw a comment asking why she didn’t announce her marriage on social media. Haba?
We’ve become so used to putting our personal lives…
— HeritageWife (@unseriousguru) May 20, 2026
I never knew nini was married
Omo I pray God comforts them ooo
And his soul rest in peace— Temi (@Babie_tems) May 20, 2026
Apparently, not many people knew Niniola was married. It came as a shock. She really tried keeping her marital affairs off social media. I just hate the fact that we only got to hear about her husband in a tragic way. Death is so brutal!
— Oluwatobi 🎀 (@_tobyblush) May 20, 2026
Niniola was married for 13 years and never once brought her personal life online. A lot of people didn’t even know she was married until the news of her husband’s passing. In a time where everything is shared, that kind of privacy from a celebrity really stands out.
— Oloriebi (@OloriebiBet) May 20, 2026
I’m honestly shocked that Niniola kept her marriage and family completely off social media for 13 years. That level of privacy in today’s world is truly admirable. May her husband continue to rest in peace. 🕊️
It also shows that a woman’s dressing or public image does not…
— Olori Ajoke 🫅 (@Orisunmibairemi) May 20, 2026
Omo I was not even aware Niniola was married o
— Peace Ighodaro💛 (@peace_igho) May 20, 2026