Gospel Singers Mourn Death Of Toluwanisings

Late Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji (Toluwanisings)

The Nigerian gospel music industry has been thrown into mourning following the passing of gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.

The singer's death was confirmed by his family on his verified Instagram page on Wednesday, with the announcement stating that he passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

Many of his colleagues have taken to their respective social media pages to express their shock over the tragic passing.

Gospel singer Bidemi Olaoba wrote, "Lord, we judge You faithful, even in moments like this when words fail us and our hearts are heavy. Even when we do not understand, we choose to trust You. Even through the tears, we hold on to Your unfailing love. Lord, we still judge You faithful."

Gospel singer Lilian Nneji shared a video of herself and the late singer, writing, "Tolumiiiiiiiiii was this a goodbye hug? This was just this past Sunday oooo.....No naaaaa! This one hit me so badddddddddddddddddd.....my heart is shattered! Kai! How can you be gone! How How How! Hmmmm God! This is difficult for me to accept.....Ha! Tolumiiiiiiiiii! May God rest your soul!"

Pelumi Deborah wrote, "Three days ago, we laughed. Today, you're a memory. An unfinished conversation, a goodbye we never said, and a heart struggling to understand how quickly 'see you later' can become 'rest in peace.' Life is fragile! Oh, so painfully fragile. Till we meet again, Egbon T. In all, We judge God faithful!"

Sarah Apekeola wrote, "Haaaaaaa Oluwa eleyi po oooo the last time I cried with so much pains like this was when I lost my mom. I would never imagine that I will be writing RIP for you in the next 80 years to this time, this is a very hard pill to swallow God. I have been praying for a miracle since yesterday that you should just wake up and this whole thing was a prank, but God is unquestionable. So I will no longer hear aunty Apeke in your angelic voice. I will not longer respond baba Alajo wa to you anymore, why does it feels to hard to accept that you are now singing with the angels. Haaaaaaaaaa God, My heart is so heavy right now but still you remain God till eternity. Ti Oluwa ni."

Woli Agba wrote, "Ah, Toluwanisings… He is still so young, in his prime! The hope of many lives. The shoulder that so many people lean on. We called on him, but he could no longer answer us. Ah! I cannot find a better way to explain the difference between sleep and death. He looks just as though he is sleeping. Chei! We truly underestimate the gift of breath. The body is just a structure; it is the breath of life that makes all the difference. That voice is gone! The husband of that young sister… Hmmmm, Kabiyesi Ọlọ́run! Father, we may not understand Your plans, but we trust in Your sovereignty over the many souls Your son has fed, encouraged, and blessed through his life and ministry, especially his beloved wife, his children, and his loyal band members. We surrender to Your will, even through our tears. He was Yours, Lord, and You have called him home to rest. Please uphold everyone he has left behind. Comfort his wife, strengthen his children, and give his band members, friends, and all who loved him the grace to bear this painful loss. To God be the glory, even in our grief. Bayonle… Hmmmm, Toluwanisings! Rest in peace, dear brother. Keep singing with the angels. Sing with the Angels, bro."

Recall that in the early hours of Wednesday, anxiety grew over the singer's health after reports that he slumped at his residence in Ibadan shortly after ministering at Bidemi Olaoba's In His Presence concert on Tuesday night.

Appealing for calm, Woli Agba had urged the public to hold on to faith, writing, "Please hold on. Please don't conclude. We are trusting God. Please!"