Gospel singer Toluwanisings to be buried in Ibadan after family dispute

The funeral service for the Nigerian gospel artist Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, widely recognized by her stage name Toluwanisings, is scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2026, in Ibadan within Oyo State. The service is being hosted at the Banjola Event and Conference Centre, situated at No. 20 Hope Road in the Alakia area of the city. The funeral arrangements were officially announced on the late singer’s Instagram page earlier on Monday morning. According to the schedule released by the family, the lying-in-state is set to begin at 9:00 am, followed by the burial service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The promotional poster, which featured the phrase Forever in our Hearts, always in our Lives, failed to disclose the precise site where the musician will be laid to rest.

Background

Toluwanisings died in the early hours of October 14, 2026, at his residence. Daily Post reported that the singer slumped and died at the location. The weeks following his death were marked by significant controversy regarding the circumstances of his passing and the subsequent burial plans. A dispute arose between the singer’s father, Mr Muniru Olayemi, and his widow, Mrs Elizabeth Damilola Olayemi, over where the artist should be laid to rest. Reports indicate that the father proposed burying his son either at the house he had built or beside his late mother in Osun State. In contrast, the singer’s wife opposed the idea of burying him at their shared home. The disagreement escalated, leading to public exchanges and tensions across various social media platforms. The family had also called for an investigation into the death and the suspension of the planned burial during this period of conflict.

To resolve the standoff, the Oyo State Police Command intervened. On October 28, 2026, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, received information regarding the disagreement between the deceased’s family and his associates. Following this, the police brokered a peace deal. On November 3, 2026, the key parties involved signed a peace undertaking before the commissioner. These parties included the widow, Mrs Elizabeth Damilola Olayemi; the father, Mr Muniru Olayemi; and the singer’s friends and associates, who included Oyindamola Esther, Babadunni Gbolabo, and Lawal Ademola Rafiu. Under the terms of this agreement, all signatories pledged to cease public exchanges, interviews, and social media publications concerning the disagreement over the burial arrangements.

Why it matters

The resolution of this dispute allows for the final rites to proceed without further public conflict or legal obstruction. The peace undertaking effectively ended the public feud that had dominated discussions surrounding the singer’s death. By agreeing to stop public exchanges and media engagements about the disagreement, the family and associates have cleared the path for the burial to take place in Ibadan as scheduled. The involvement of high-ranking police officials in mediating the dispute highlights the extent to which the controversy had affected public order and family relations. The specific details of the funeral, including the venue and timing, provide a clear structure for mourners and the public to pay their respects, ensuring the event is conducted with the dignity intended by the family.

What happens next

The burial service is scheduled to conclude at 11:00 am on Monday. As the location of the interment was not disclosed in the official announcement, the immediate next step following the service at the Banjola Event and Conference Centre will be the private burial of the singer. The peace agreement signed on November 3 remains in effect, requiring the involved parties to refrain from further public commentary on the dispute.