The remains of Nigerian gospel singer, Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, are scheduled to be laid to rest on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, weeks after his death on 14 October 2026.

The funeral arrangements, published on the singer’s official Instagram page on Monday, indicate that the lying-in-state will hold between 9am and 10am, followed by a burial service from 10am to 11am.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at Banjola Event and Conference Centre, No. 20, Hope Road, Alakia, Ibadan.

The funeral poster carries the inscription, “Forever in our Hearts, always in our Lives,” but does not disclose the location of the interment.

Burial dispute delayed funeral arrangements

The burial follows weeks of disagreement between the late singer’s widow and his paternal family over where he should be buried.

His father, Muniru Olayemi, had reportedly insisted that his son should be buried at the house he built in Ibadan or taken to Ikirun, Osun State, to be laid beside his late mother.

The disagreement generated public exchanges and controversy, with the family also calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death and seeking to suspend the planned burial.

Police broker peace between parties

The Oyo State Police Command intervened in the dispute and invited the parties for a meeting at its headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

On 3 November, the singer’s widow, Elizabeth Damilola Olayemi; his father, Mr Muniru Olayemi; and some friends and associates signed a peace undertaking before the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga.

Under the agreement, the parties committed to maintaining peace and stopping public exchanges, interviews and social media publications capable of escalating the disagreement.

The police also warned that anyone whose actions constituted an offence would be arrested and prosecuted.

Toluwanisings died in the early hours of 14 October 2026. His death was announced by his family through a statement on his official social media account.

The gospel minister’s passing attracted widespread tributes from colleagues, entertainers and fans, who remembered him for his distinctive voice and contributions to gospel music.