By Teddy Nwanunobi
As the family of gospel singer, Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, prepares for his burial, Daily NewsCraft reports that about eight hospitals could not do anything to save him from becoming the eighth gospel singer to die in 2026.
Following his sudden collapse early on Tuesday, the crew and family of Toluwanisings raced against time in a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to save him.
According to his personal assistant, Babaduni Gbolabo, frantic last-minute efforts to get medical help for the late singer, as they moved from one hospital to another in the hope of reviving him.
Gbolabo said he was not present when the incident occurred, but received an urgent call asking him to come immediately after the singer slumped.
By the time he arrived, the situation had triggered a desperate search for medical attention, with those around the singer hoping that doctors could still bring him back.
“We rushed him to UCH, first. But they were on strike. We had to start moving from one hospital to another. We took him to about seven or eight hospitals, but nothing could be done,” he said.
The tragedy was made more painful by the fact that Toluwanisings had performed in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday, just hours before his death, without showing any obvious sign of illness or weakness.
According to Gbolabo, nobody around the singer saw the tragedy coming. Even when he woke up that morning, there was apparently no indication that his life would take such a sudden and devastating turn.
The abruptness of his death has left those closest to him struggling to understand how a day that began without any obvious warning could end in such heartbreak.
Before Toluwanisings’ death on Wednesday, October 14, Daily NewsCraft reports that seven other Gospel artists had died in 2026, making him the eighth to die in the current year.
They were: Bunmi Akinnaanu Adeoye (Omije Ojumi) – well-known gospel artist, who passed away on January 13, at the age of 46; Taiwo Adegbodu – one half of the Adegbodu Twins gospel music duo – who passed away on Sunday, March 1, at the age of 46; Toun Soetan – the veteran, who died at 73 on March 13, was celebrated for her contributions to Nigeria’s gospel music scene; Onos Brisibi, known for her gospel music and Nollywood soundtrack vocals, died at 55 on March 23, following a prolonged illness; known for his inspirational songs and work with Victory Voices Spiritual Singers, renowned Yoruba gospel singer and evangelist, G.A. Idowu Aworinde, was reported dead on August 10; gospel hip-hop artiste, Joshua Acheme Edache (Nutty Josh), reportedly died on September 20, following complications from injuries sustained in an accident in Abuja; and gospel singer and choir master at CCC Winners Parish in Lagos State, Kolawole Okanlawon, was reported dead on October 5.
News of Toluwanisings’ passing has also sent shockwaves through the gospel music community, with fellow performers and fans expressing grief over the loss of the singer.
Among those who have reacted to the tragedy are: Woli Agba, Bidemi Olaoba, Boye Best and Ola Best, who have joined others in expressing shock over his death.
Gbolabo disclosed that the family was still meeting to determine the next line of action, including arrangements, following the singer’s death.
“The family is currently meeting to decide the next line of action. When everything has been concluded, we will brief the media,” he said.
For the singer’s family, crew and admirers, the memory of his final hours will remain a painful one: a frantic search for help, several hospitals visited and desperate hopes of a rescue that ultimately never came.