She attributed her action to influence of hard drugs and smoking.
She said: “I started smoking after I got into UNILAG.”
Chidinma had been in a romantic relationship with 50-year-old Ataga for about four months before the incident.
The undergraduate said she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice.
Chidinma, who spoke with The Punch in an interview, pleaded with Ataga family to forgive her saying she doesn’t want to die over the case.
“I regret killing Mr Ataga. I don’t know what my future holds but I don’t want to die. Please, I don’t want to die because of this case. I have not killed before.
“I was just trying to comport myself to answer questions during the parade and not that I am not showing remorse. I totally regretted everything I did and I am sorry.
“Mr Ataga’s family, I am deeply sorry for what I did. If I had my life back, I wouldn’t do anything like that. I am deeply sorry and I hope you forgive me.”