Childhood friends, housemates, and neighbors in the Olanbe/Lambe area of Ogun State (which shares a border with Lagos State) gathered to pay their last respects during a candlelight procession for the popular gospel singer, Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, widely known as Toluwanisings.

The gospel singer passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after collapsing at his home in Ibadan. At the candlelight event organized for the deceased, people wore black attire to mourn him and sang various Christian hymns. Attendees who gathered for the tribute also shared fond memories of the deceased, whom they grew up with.

“Toluwanisings did not care much for football; he loved Table Tennis, and that was where we gave him the nickname ‘Ajọ̀’.”

Speaking with BBC News Yoruba, Peter Omotolani, one of Toluwanisings’ childhood friends, explained that the deceased was his close friend from childhood. They grew up together in an area called Kowe Isalẹ in the Lambe neighborhood of Ogun State. He shared their childhood experiences with BBC News Yoruba.

He preferred Table Tennis

The deceased loved the sport of Table Tennis. They nicknamed him “Ajọ̀” because he used to make a lot of lively noise and excelled greatly at the game.

“Toluwanisings on his social media pages that people really began to know him, and his career began to soar.”

Friends, neighbors, and members of the gospel musicians’ association, GOMAN, wore black clothing, carried drums, and held up portraits of Olayemi Bayonle Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.

A Humble Beginning

Toluwanisings was not born into a wealthy family, and his childhood was very difficult. Everyday for six whole years, he walked on foot from Kowe Isalẹ to Oke Aro to attend school.

When Toluwanisings returned home from school, he would take his father’s commercial (okada) to work, carrying passengers from Kowe Isalẹ to the Lambe area just to earn some money. At other times, he would help people carry timber or work as a laborer just to put food in his mouth.
However, God began to answer his prayers when Radio Lagos paid him to voice commercials for them. That was the first job where he earned good money.

Omotolani also mentioned that God answered Toluwanisings’ prayers through Prophet Arole (Woli Arole). He noted that the moment Prophet Arole featured Toluwanisings on his social media platforms, the public began to recognize him, and his career experienced significant growth. He also confirmed that Toluwanisings later relocated from Kowe Isalẹ to Ibadan so he could have the space to record and release his music.

“It was in Ibadan that God finally answered his prayers and he started doing very well.”

“Toluwanisings was not 41 years old as people are saying; he was only 34”

Peter Omotolani addressed various rumors circulating online regarding the gospel artist’s age at the time of his passing and where he collapsed.
Omotolani stated that some people were claiming Toluwanisings was 41 years old, but that is completely false. He also clarified that the singer did not fall from the stairs of his house.

“Toluwanisings was not yet 41; he was just 34 years old. Furthermore, he collapsed inside his living room, not on his staircase as some people are spreading around. They tried to save his life and rushed him to private hospitals, but they said he was already dead by the time they arrived. It is deeply painful that he passed away at such a young age, but God knows best.”

“When I underwent surgery, Toluwanisings sent me N500,000. He was incredibly generous”

Omotolani said one of the things he would miss most about his close friend was his musical talent, which stood out from other artists.

“Among all the artists performing right now, there are three who have a unique voice that is different from the rest. Those three gospel singers are Tope Alabi, BBO, and Toluwanisings—they are completely unique. Also, at one time, I had to undergo surgery, and Toluwanisings sent me five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) to fund it. Toluwanisings was very generous and loved to give; he was not stingy at all. Sometimes, he would just call me out of the blue and send one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000). Other times, he would send fifty thousand Naira (N50,000). He gave me money countless times.”

“We were planning a 2027 concert to welcome him back to Lambe”

Omotolani revealed that earlier this year, he called the deceased and suggested that since he had become a famous gospel star, it would be wonderful to host a music concert in the Lambe neighborhood where they grew up.

“He told me he wanted to pray about it first. Later, he called me back and said we should host the concert in the upcoming year, 2027, and that veteran musicians would be there. But it shocked us and broke my heart that instead of welcoming him back to Lambe for a concert in 2027, I am now organizing a candlelight service for his funeral.”
Omotolani concluded by stating that the family will announce the official burial arrangements for Toluwanisings, but his friends and neighbors decided to hold the candlelight night to honor him.
– BBC
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