Gospel singer Toluwanisings buried in Ibadan after family dispute

The remains of Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, widely known by his stage name Toluwanisings, were interred at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, November 9, 2026. The burial ceremony was conducted in a strictly private manner, with access to the site restricted to a small number of guests and security personnel. This final arrangement brought a close to several weeks of public controversy and internal family conflict regarding where the late artist should be buried.

Prior to the burial, a funeral service was held at the Banjola Event and Conference Centre in Alakia, Ibadan. Following the service, the singer’s remains were transported to his home, where a final viewing took place before he was laid to rest. Observers noted an unusually quiet atmosphere around the residence, with neighbours largely absent and media access tightly controlled. The decision to bury the singer at his Ibadan home was reached after a disagreement between his widow, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his paternal relatives, which had escalated to the point of requiring police intervention.

Background

Toluwanisings, who was celebrated for his energetic worship styles and hit songs such as "A Very Big God," died in Ibadan on October 14, 2026. Reports indicate that he collapsed and that his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, alleged that several hospitals had declined to admit him while emergency medical attention was being sought. His death prompted widespread concern within the gospel music community and the general public.

In the weeks following his death, a dispute emerged between the singer’s widow and his father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, and other paternal family members. The paternal relatives expressed concerns about the circumstances of his death and initially advocated for his burial to take place in Ikirun, Osun State, either at a house he had built or beside his late mother. Conversely, the widow and her associates pushed for the burial to occur at the family home in Ibadan. The tension attracted significant public attention, leading to calls for a resolution to prevent further escalation.

On November 3, 2026, the Oyo State Police Command intervened to mediate the conflict. The parties involved met at the police command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where they signed a peace undertaking. According to the police command, all parties agreed to maintain peace, exhibit good behaviour, and refrain from any actions that could cause a breach of the peace. This agreement allowed the family to finalise the decision to bury the singer at his residence in Ibadan, where his wife and two daughters reside.

Why it matters

The resolution of the burial dispute highlights the intense public scrutiny faced by prominent Nigerian musicians and the complexities of family dynamics in the aftermath of a high-profile death. The involvement of the police command underscores the severity of the disagreement, which had moved beyond internal family matters to become a public issue. The singer’s death and the subsequent controversy have drawn attention to the conditions under which he passed away, with allegations of hospital refusals adding a layer of public concern regarding healthcare access and emergency response in the region. For the gospel music community, the event serves as a somber reminder of the personal struggles that can accompany professional fame, while the family’s eventual agreement to a private burial in Ibadan marks the end of a turbulent period for the late artist’s loved ones.