A family dispute has emerged over the final resting place of popular gospel musician Olayemi Bolaji, widely known as ToluwaniSings, following his sudden passing on October 14, 2026.
The late singer’s father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, has publicly appealed to his son’s widow, Elizabeth, to reconsider her choice of a cemetery burial and permit the singer to be laid to rest either at his residence or in his ancestral family compound.
A father’s plea against a cemetery burial
Speaking in a recent interview, Olayemi revealed that upon learning of his son’s sudden death, he approached Elizabeth to discuss the burial plans.
However, a disagreement broke out over the proposed location for the late artist’s grave.
While his widow prefers laying him to rest in a public cemetery in Ibadan, Olayemi expressed a strong desire to have his son buried at his private home, where family members can hold prayers and preserve his memory.
“I don’t want him buried in a church or cemetery. I want him buried in his house, and that will make me happy,” the grieving father stated.
Olayemi further noted that if a burial inside his son’s house is rejected, the family should consider taking his remains to Ikirun, Osun State, to be buried beside his late mother.
Early life, upbringing, and Muslim roots
Revisiting his son’s childhood, Olayemi recounted that ToluwaniSings—originally named Sodiq Olayemi Bayonle at birth—was raised primarily by his maternal relatives following the death of his mother in 1992, just months after he was born.
At the request of his late wife’s family, Olayemi permitted them to take custody of the infant to help care for him while navigating their shared grief.
While the singer was brought up in a Christian environment by his maternal kin, Olayemi maintained that he kept in touch with his son throughout his upbringing and that his family supported his educational pursuits through secondary school and his studies at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.
Approaching the final rites
ToluwaniSings, who passed away shortly after ministering at a praise concert in Ibadan, leaves behind his wife and two young children.
As preparations continue for his official Service of Songs and Night of Tributes, Olayemi is appealing to his daughter-in-law and the wider funeral planning committee to honour his wishes and reach an amicable compromise during this tragic time of mourning.
