NIGERIA · MUSIC
Key Facts
- —What is happening Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, known as Toluwanisings, died in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 October 2026, and his family confirmed the death in a statement on his social media accounts.
- —Why it matters He was a popular voice in Nigerian praise and worship music with Yoruba roots, and gospel ministers, Nollywood actors, comedians and fans have mourned him since the news broke on Wednesday.
- —The numbers One family statement, posted on Wednesday, 14 October, confirmed the death; it gave no age, no cause and no place of death, and no funeral date has been set.
- —Who is who Toluwanisings was a gospel singer and songwriter, named in the family statement as a minister of the Toluwani Gospel Music Ministry; comedian Woli Agba, real name Ayo Ajewole, is among those paying tribute.
- —What to watch The family said funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, and accounts of his final hours from people close to him are not yet confirmed by the family.
- —What it means for you The death has no impact on markets, travel or policy, but Nigerian churchgoers and gospel fans in the United States should look to the family’s official accounts for funeral and memorial details.
Nigerian gospel singer Toluwanisings has died, his family said on Wednesday. Artists and fans across Nigeria are mourning a voice known for lively, Yoruba-influenced praise songs.
Toluwanisings, the Nigerian gospel singer whose real name was Olayemi Bolaji, died in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 October. His family confirmed the death in a statement on his social media accounts, without giving a cause.
He was a well-known voice in Nigerian praise music, which reaches listeners abroad through streaming platforms and social media. Gospel ministers, comedians and actors from Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, have posted tributes since Wednesday.
How the Toluwanisings Death Was Confirmed
News of the death began circulating on social media on Wednesday afternoon, Premium Times, an Abuja-based online newspaper, reported. The family then confirmed it in a statement posted on his Instagram page, the newspaper said.
Punch, a Lagos-based daily, reported that the statement was posted on his TikTok account. It quoted the family as saying he died in the early hours of 14 October 2026.
The statement described him as “a dearly loved husband, family member, and gospel minister.” It asked the public to keep “his wife, family, and loved ones” in their prayers during a difficult time.
Punch quoted the statement as naming him Minister Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, of the Toluwani Gospel Music Ministry, known as TOGOMM. Both newspapers reported that the family will announce funeral arrangements in due course.
Who Toluwanisings Was
Toluwanisings was a gospel singer, songwriter and music minister, Premium Times reported. He built a following with lively praise songs and worship music shaped by Yoruba traditions.
His recordings include “Kabiyesi Olorun Ayo,” “Unreserved Praise,” “A Very Big God” and “Onibuore,” the newspaper said. Other titles it listed are “Eleda” and “I’m Not Alone.”
Several of those titles are in Yoruba, a language spoken by tens of millions of people in southwest Nigeria. Kabiyesi is a royal salutation that Yoruba worship songs often address to God.
He began singing in church choirs as a child, according to Premium Times. The paper said he had worked with fellow gospel musicians Tosin Bee and Adeyinka Alaseyori.
Tributes From Gospel Ministers and Actors
Comedian and content creator Woli Agba, whose real name is Ayo Ajewole, posted a tribute that both newspapers quoted. He wrote that “a very unique voice has dropped the microphone and walked off the stage just like that.”
“Toluwanisings, your departure has left a painful void in the hearts of many,” he added. He called the loss difficult to understand and even more difficult to accept.
Gospel singer Adeyinka Alaseyori wrote, “Even in our pain, Lord we judge you faithful,” Punch reported. Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola called the news “a very hard pill to swallow.”
Punch also carried a tribute from gospel singer Paul Tomisin, who recalled him worshipping and supporting other ministers on Sunday. Singer Pelumi Deborah wrote that the two had laughed together three days before his death.
Nigerian Gospel Music at Home and Abroad
Gospel is a large part of Nigeria’s music scene, alongside Afrobeats, the pop sound the country now exports worldwide. Many gospel singers perform in Yoruba as well as in English.
Yoruba speakers are one of the main groups described in this guide to Nigeria’s population and ethnic groups. Their older story, centred on the ancient city of Ife, is traced in this overview of Nigeria’s history.
Nigerian gospel singers often describe their performances at church services and events as ministrations. Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, hosts many large churches and gospel concerts.
What It Means for US Readers
The death has no bearing on US markets, travel advice or policy toward Nigeria. It matters to Nigerian churchgoers and gospel fans in the United States, many of whom follow such artists online.
Fans abroad who want funeral or memorial details should watch the family’s official social media accounts, where the death was announced. Accounts of his final hours from people close to him have circulated, but the family has not confirmed them.
What Is Not Known
The family has not said what caused the death or where the singer died. Punch said the cause remained unknown when it filed its report.
The family statement did not give his age, and ages cited in some reports have not been confirmed by the family. No date or place for the funeral had been announced by Thursday, 15 October.
What Comes Next
The family has said it will announce funeral arrangements in due course. His media aide said on Thursday that the family would share burial plans later, The ICIR, a Nigerian news site, reported.
Until then, the family has asked the public to keep his wife, family and loved ones in their prayers. Gospel singer Dare Justified, in a tribute carried by Punch, called the news “such a rude shock.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Toluwanisings?
Toluwanisings was the stage name of Olayemi Bolaji, a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter and music minister. He was known for lively praise songs and Yoruba-influenced worship music.
When did Toluwanisings die?
His family said he died in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 October 2026. The family announced the death in a statement on his social media accounts.
What was the cause of death?
The family has not disclosed the cause or the place of death. Accounts of his final hours from people close to him have not been confirmed by the family.
When is the funeral?
No date has been set yet. The family said funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
What are his best-known songs?
Premium Times listed recordings including Kabiyesi Olorun Ayo, Unreserved Praise and A Very Big God. Other titles on its list are Onibuore, Eleda and I’m Not Alone.
Sources: Punch, family statement report, 15 October; Premium Times, 15 October; Punch, tributes, 15 October; The ICIR, media aide interview, 15 October (all accessed 15 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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