Popular Nigerian singer and Afro-House queen, Niniola Apata, has revealed that the pain and trauma of witnessing her father’s assassination is something she will carry for the rest of her life.
Niniola’s father, Brigadier-General Simeon Olaseni Apata (rtd.), a decorated military officer and educationist, was brutally murdered by unknown gunmen on January 8, 1995, in Lagos, right inside his home.
The attack, which happened in the presence of his family, left lasting scars on his children, including Niniola and her younger sister, Teniola Apata (Teni), who have both become household names in Nigeria’s music industry.
In a recent interview with media personality Jay On Air, Niniola recounted how devastating the experience was for her as a child.
She explained that her close bond with her father made the incident even more painful.
“I was in the house when my dad was murdered. And I was his favourite child, so you can imagine the trauma. Till today, I’m not over it. I can never get over it,” she said.
“I was very young when it happened. I don’t remember my exact age then, but it wasn’t a good memory at all.”
The singer, best known for hits like Maradona and Bana, noted that the tragic event shaped her life in many ways.
According to her, the memories of that night remain fresh, and coping with the emotional burden has been one of her greatest challenges.
Her sister, Teni, had also previously spoken about the same tragedy in 2023, recalling how witnessing their father’s assassination at just two years old left her deeply traumatised.
The sisters have often described their father as a disciplinarian and a visionary who founded the prestigious Apata Memorial Schools in Lagos, which still stands today as part of his legacy.
Security analysts at the time of the assassination described the incident as part of the violent wave of attacks in Lagos during the mid-1990s.
To date, the masterminds of the killing remain unidentified, leaving the Apata family without closure.
Despite the tragedy, Niniola has risen to become one of Nigeria’s most successful female artistes, carving a niche for herself globally with her unique sound.
She has also dedicated part of her career to honouring her father’s memory and supporting her family’s legacy in education.
As Niniola continues to shine on the global stage, her story is a reminder of the resilience of Nigerian artistes who turn personal pain into strength.
But for her, the assassination of Brigadier-General Apata is a wound that time may never heal.