Niniola releases tribute song for her late husband

Afro-house singer Niniola Apata, known as Niniola, has dropped a new single called “Raining (O Dun Mi).” This song is a heartfelt tribute to her late husband and manager, Michael Ndika.

Niniola shared the song on Friday, a few months after Ndika passed away. He was not just her husband but also her long-time partner and a big part of her music journey.

Niniola said the song expresses her deep feelings of grief, love, memories, and healing since her husband’s death.

In a post on X on Thursday, Niniola mentioned that the song came from her personal loss. She hopes it will also reach others who have lost loved ones.

“Some songs are made to entertain. Others are born from moments that change us forever. ‘Raining (O Dun Mi)’ is my deeply personal tribute to a man who was not only my life partner, but an important part of my journey and career,” Niniola said.

She continued that the song is also meant for those mourning someone special.

“But this song is also for everyone who has lost someone they love, for the memories that remain, the empty spaces they leave behind, and the love that never truly goes away. Through music, I honour his memory,” she said.

On Friday, Niniola dedicated the song to anyone dealing with grief.

“For everyone who has ever lost someone, this is for you. For every tear we’ve cried, every pain we’ve carried, every memory that still lingers… ‘Raining (O Dun Mi)’ is the melody to it all. It’s raining on us,” she explained.

The title ‘O Dun Mi’ is a Yoruba phrase that shows deep emotional pain. The song captures the singer’s sorrow in a musical way to remember her late husband.

PUNCH Online reported that Niniola announced Ndika’s death in May 2026 through emotional posts on her Instagram Story.

Before he passed, Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform for Afro-house and contemporary African music.

Niniola and Ndika had been together for 13 years. He was not only her husband but also her manager and played a big part in her career.

With ‘Raining (O Dun Mi),’ Niniola has turned her personal pain into a tribute. She aims to keep her husband’s memory alive while reaching out to others who know what it’s like to grieve.