By Ade Oyeyemi
The personal assistant to late gospel singer ToluwaniSings, Babadunni Olayemi, has recounted how efforts to save the musician failed after he suddenly slumped and was taken to between seven and eight hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Olayemi said the singer’s family and associates struggled to secure medical attention for him, alleging that some hospitals cited an ongoing doctors’ strike, while others declined to admit him.
ToluwaniSings, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, died on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, a day after reportedly performing at a worship event.
The gospel artiste was known for songs including A Very Big God and Onibuore, which earned him recognition among worshippers.
Speaking about the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death on Thursday, his aide said he was not present when the incident occurred but rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call.
“I am Babadunni Gbolabo. I am the PA to ToluwaniSings. When it happened in the morning, I wasn’t here, so they called me and I came,” he said.
According to him, the singer had appeared healthy before suddenly collapsing, prompting those around him to attempt resuscitation before rushing him to hospitals in search of treatment.
“There was nothing wrong with him. He was very fine and in perfect condition. He just slumped. They tried to resuscitate him. They went helter-skelter. They took him to some hospitals, but they were giving excuses,” Olayemi said.
He added that some facilities reportedly attributed their inability to provide treatment to the doctors’ strike, while others allegedly refused to admit the singer.
“Some said doctors were not working because of the strike. Some did not admit him at all. That is how it went. We tried our best, including prayers. We took him to up to seven to eight hospitals in Ibadan, but God said his time was up,” he said.
The aide disclosed that the singer’s remains had been deposited at a mortuary, adding that the family would determine the next course of action after consultations.
He said relatives were still coming to terms with the loss and would make further decisions after holding a meeting.
“The family members are here. So, we are all just managing the situation, as the body is currently at the mortuary. Once the family members hold their meeting and are clear on things, that is when we will know the next step to take,” he stated.
ToluwaniSings’ death was earlier confirmed by his family, according to a previous report by The PUNCH.
His death has left fans and members of the gospel music community mourning the singer, whose songs had become familiar in worship settings.
