AFTER WEEKS OF FAMILY DISAGREEMENT, GOSPEL SINGER TOLUWANISINGS SET FOR BURIAL TODAY IN IBADAN
The remains of popular Nigerian gospel singer, Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, widely known as Toluwanisings, will be laid to rest today, Monday, November 9, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State, following weeks of controversy and disagreements among members of his family and close associates over his final burial arrangements.
The burial, which comes nearly four weeks after his death on October 14, 2026, was initially scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, but was suspended following disagreements between the late singer’s paternal family and his widow over where he should be buried.
At the centre of the controversy was a disagreement over his final resting place. His father reportedly insisted that the singer should either be buried at his residence in Ibadan, the house he built and lived in with his wife and children, or taken to Ikirun, Osun State, to be buried beside his late mother.
However, his widow, Elizabeth Damilola Olayemi, was reportedly uncomfortable with the idea of having her husband’s remains buried within their residential compound. She was said to favour a church-owned burial ground or a public cemetery instead.
Beyond the disagreement over the burial location, the late singer’s paternal family also called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and demanded that the burial be suspended until their concerns were addressed.
The family’s position further complicated the funeral arrangements, creating tensions among relatives, friends and associates of the deceased.
The controversy eventually attracted the attention of the Oyo State Police Command, following reports of disagreements, allegations and heated exchanges between the parties across social media platforms.
In an effort to prevent further escalation, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, intervened and invited the parties to the command headquarters in Ibadan for an amicable resolution.
On November 3, 2026, the late singer’s widow, his father, friends, associates and other representatives reportedly signed a peace undertaking before the Commissioner of Police.
Under the agreement, all parties pledged to maintain peace, refrain from public exchanges and stop making statements, granting interviews or circulating publications capable of reigniting the disagreement surrounding the singer’s death and burial arrangements.
The police also cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified allegations or taking advantage of the unfortunate circumstances to provoke further hostility.
Following the intervention and peace agreement, the family announced fresh funeral arrangements, paving the way for today’s burial.
According to the funeral programme released on the late singer’s official Instagram page, the lying-in-state will take place between 9am and 10am, while the burial service is scheduled for 10am to 11am.
The ceremony will hold at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, No. 20, Hope Road, Alakia, Ibadan.
The funeral poster carries the emotional inscription, “Forever in our Hearts, always in our Lives.” However, the family has not disclosed the specific location where the singer will eventually be interred.
Toluwanisings’ death was announced by his family in the early hours of October 14, 2026, throwing the Nigerian gospel music community into mourning.
His passing attracted widespread reactions from gospel artistes, colleagues, fans and admirers who remembered him for his musical contributions and ministry.
Today, weeks after his passing and following a period marked by grief, family disagreements and police intervention, friends, colleagues, worshippers and loved ones are expected to gather in Ibadan to bid the gospel minister a final farewell.
