Emotions ran high at the Jogor Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, as family, friends, and fellow musicians gathered for a tribute night in honor of the late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.
The most poignant moment of the evening came when the late artist’s widow stepped up to deliver her tribute. Overwhelmed by grief, she struggled to speak before breaking down in tears in front of the gathered congregation.
Celebrities and Gospel Artistes Pay Respects
The tribute service drew several prominent figures from Nigeria’s gospel music sector and the broader entertainment industry. Notable artistes present to pay their last respects included Esther Igbekele, Laolu Gbenjo, Bidemi Olaoba, Peterson Okopi, SB Live, Akintayo Akinwande, Mr Gbera, and Sarah Apekeola. Popular Nollywood actress Bimbo Oshin was also among the dignitaries in attendance.
Toluwanisings passed away in the early hours of October 14, 2026, after reportedly collapsing in Ibadan. The official cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Lingering Controversies and Family Disputes
His sudden passing has been met with significant controversy and unresolved questions. Following his death, his personal assistant, Babadunni, claimed that the singer was rushed to seven or eight different hospitals but failed to receive the required emergency medical care. However, management at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, publicly stated that they have no record of the musician being brought to their center.
In addition to the conflicting accounts of his medical treatment, disagreements have erupted between his immediate family and his wife regarding burial arrangements. His father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, reportedly insisted that the singer should be buried either at a home he built or next to his late mother in Osun State.
The family drama deepened further after his grandmother, Sabitiyu Olayemi, publicly accused the late singer of past neglect. Meanwhile, a man identifying himself as his uncle, Lawal Ademola, has called for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the gospel artist’s death.