Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, widely known as Toluwanisings, was laid to rest at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, November 9, 2026. The private burial ceremony marked the conclusion of a multi-week dispute among family members regarding the final resting place of the late artiste.
The interment followed a funeral service held at the Banjola Event and Conference Centre in Alakia, Ibadan, and was attended exclusively by family members. The decision to bury the singer at his home, where his wife and children reside, resolved a significant standoff between his widow, Olayemi Elizabeth Damilola, and his paternal relatives.
The conflict arose when the paternal family expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding Toluwanisings' death and initially advocated for his burial in Ikirun, Osun State. The disagreement quickly attracted public attention, prompting the Oyo State Police Command to intervene to prevent further escalation of tensions.
On November 3, the conflicting parties signed a peace undertaking at the police command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan. In a statement regarding the agreement, the police command noted that all parties agreed to "maintain peace and be of good behaviour, refrain from any act capable of causing a breach of the peace." This resolution paved the way for the family to finalize the burial arrangements in Ibadan.
Toluwanisings, who was recognized for his energetic worship ministrations and hits such as "A Very Big God," died on October 14, 2026. His passing generated widespread reactions across the gospel music community, while the subsequent family dispute further drew public scrutiny to the situation.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
