According to report by Vanguard on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the paternal grandmother of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has opposed plans to bury him in a cemetery, insisting that he should be laid to rest at his family home. She also alleged that the singer rarely provided financial assistance to her before his death.
The elderly woman, identified as Sabitiyu Olayemi, made the revelations during a trending social media interview conducted in Yoruba by journalist Dunmininu in Osun State.
According to her, Toluwanisings, whom she referred to as Sodiq, was born in Kano, where his naming ceremony was held.
She said she helped care for him and his mother before he relocated to Lagos, adding that she occasionally visited him during his secondary school years.
However, the grandmother said she had not seen the singer for more than five years and was unaware that he had built a house or organised a housewarming ceremony.
“I only knew he was a musician. I did not know he had built a house or held a housewarming ceremony. It has been over five years since I last saw him,” she said.
She explained that she eventually contacted him through someone in their village. During their conversation, she complained that he had failed to check on her, while he reportedly attributed his absence to work commitments.
According to her, Toluwanisings subsequently sent her ₦10,000 on approximately three occasions but stopped sending money afterwards.
She further alleged that when her phone was damaged and she needed assistance contacting him for a replacement, his elder sibling discouraged her from calling the singer.
Asked whether he provided medication or financial assistance for medical expenses, she replied that he had never sent her anything for such needs.
Despite expressing disappointment over the alleged lack of support, the grandmother became emotional while discussing his death.
She said his passing deeply saddened her, stressing that their relationship remained important regardless of the financial assistance she received.
“Whether I benefited from him or not, he is still my child,” she said tearfully, adding that she wished she had died before witnessing the tragedy.
She also maintained that the singer should be buried at his home rather than in a cemetery, warning against burying him close to his mother.
Toluwanisings’ family announced that he died in the early hours of October 14, 2026, aged 41, without disclosing the cause of death.
His personal assistant reportedly said the singer was taken to between seven and eight hospitals in Ibadan after he slumped, but efforts to obtain medical attention were unsuccessful. The family has yet to publicly confirm the cause of his death.