Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, built his musical identity around praise, worship and songs that communicate Christian messages.
The singer, whose death was announced by his family on October 14, 2026, was known for his involvement in gospel music and his use of indigenous Nigerian sounds alongside contemporary gospel rhythms.
Here are nine things to know about the late singer and his journey in the Nigerian gospel music scene.
- His real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji
Toluwanisings was the professional name of Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji. He was a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, recording artiste and music minister who used music to communicate messages of faith and worship.
- He was a Nigerian gospel music minister
Toluwanisings built his career around gospel music, with songs centred on praise, worship, faith and spiritual encouragement. His work reflected his belief in music as a way of sharing Christian messages with listeners.
- His music combined Yoruba and contemporary gospel sounds
One feature of Toluwanisings’ music was the blend of indigenous Nigerian praise traditions with contemporary gospel arrangements. His use of Yoruba expressions gave his music a familiar sound for listeners who enjoy both traditional praise and modern gospel music.
- Social media helped increase his visibility
Toluwanisings reportedly gained wider attention in 2021 after comedian and content creator Woli Arole shared one of his songs online. The exposure helped introduce his music to more listeners and contributed to his growing recognition.
- He was known for energetic praise songs
Beyond slow worship music, Toluwanisings also performed lively praise songs designed to encourage audience participation. His style combined expressive vocals with upbeat rhythms, reflecting the energetic character of many contemporary Nigerian gospel performances.
- He released several gospel songs and projects
His music catalogue includes titles such as Won Kere, Unreserved Praise and A Very Big God. These releases reflect his focus on praise, worship and messages rooted in the Christian faith.
- He used digital platforms to reach listeners
Toluwanisings made his music available through digital channels, including YouTube and music streaming services. These platforms enabled listeners to access his recordings beyond church services and live performances, while also providing a means of promoting his work to a wider audience.
- He was a husband and father
Toluwanisings also identified himself publicly as a husband and father. Although details about his wife and children were limited in publicly available biographies, his family formed an important part of his life beyond music.
His family announced his death in a statement shared on social media on October 14, 2026. The announcement described him as a beloved husband, family member and gospel minister. The family said details of his funeral arrangements would be communicated later.
- He viewed gospel music as a form of ministry
A central part of Toluwanisings’ musical identity was his use of songs to encourage faith and draw listeners closer to God. His emphasis on praise, worship and Christian messages reflected his understanding of gospel music as more than entertainment.
Through his recordings and performances, he contributed to the contemporary Nigerian gospel music scene, where artistes combine indigenous musical traditions with modern sounds to reach different audiences.
His death has drawn tributes from people who knew him and others within the gospel music community. However, the circumstances surrounding his death had not been publicly established in the information available for this report.
