Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has been laid to rest at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a family disagreement over his burial arrangements.
The private interment took place on Monday and was attended by family members, weeks after the singer’s death was announced on October 14.
According to reports, the burial followed a peace agreement brokered by the Oyo State Police Command between Toluwanisings’ widow, Damilola Olayemi, and his paternal relatives.
The funeral proceedings began with a lying-in-state ceremony at approximately 9 a.m. at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, located at 20 Hope Road, Alakia, Ibadan.
A burial service followed at 10 a.m., after which the singer’s body was taken to his residence, where his wife and children live, for the final interment.
Toluwanisings’ Burial Arrangements Sparked Family Disagreement
The singer’s burial plans had become contentious following disagreements between his widow and paternal relatives over where he should be laid to rest.
His uncle, Lawal Rauf, had called for the burial to be postponed pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
Rauf also maintained that the family wanted Toluwanisings buried in Ikirun, Osun State, beside his late mother.
He reportedly warned that the family would seek to exhume the body if the singer was buried in a cemetery.
The paternal relatives also alleged that Damilola preferred a cemetery burial, adding to the disagreement over the final arrangements.
The dispute eventually moved towards a resolution after the Oyo State Police Command intervened and helped both sides reach an agreement.
Gospel singer Lanre Alewilese later disclosed that the parties had agreed to bury Toluwanisings at his Ibadan residence.
Cause of Death Remains Undisclosed
Toluwanisings’ death was announced on October 14, but the circumstances and cause of his death have not been publicly disclosed in the supplied reports.
His uncle’s call for an investigation was part of the disagreement surrounding the burial, but no findings establishing the cause of death have been provided.
The gospel singer was known for his song A Very Big God and became recognised for his energetic worship ministrations.
His burial at the home he shared with his wife and children brings the family dispute over his final resting place to a reported resolution, following police involvement.