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 residence.
The elderly woman, identified as Sabitiyu Olayemi, also alleged that the singer rarely provided her with financial assistance before his death, claiming that they had been out of contact for more than five years.
She made the allegations during a trending interview conducted in Yoruba by journalist Dunmininu in Osun State, where she recounted her relationship with the singer and his mother before he relocated to Lagos.
According to the grandmother, Toluwanisings, whom she also referred to as Sodiq, was born in Kano, where his naming ceremony was held. She said the family helped care for him and his mother while he was growing up.
“Sodiq was born in Kano, that was where his naming cermony was conducted. We have been taking care of Sodiq (Toluwanisings) and his mother even before he went to Lagos. He attended Arabic schools. When he was in grammar school, I would visit him,” she said in Yoruba, according to the translated account.
The grandmother said she knew that Toluwanisings had become a musician but was unaware that he had built a house or organised a housewarming ceremony. She recalled that he once visited her with his wife and first child but alleged that they had not seen each other for several years.
“I just knew he is a musician. I am not aware he built a house; I was not aware of a housewarming. Even if I want to call him, they will say I shouldn’t. It’s been a long time I saw him. It has been over five years I set my eyes on him,” she said.
She explained that she eventually asked someone in her village to help her contact the singer after their communication had broken down.
According to her account, she introduced herself when they eventually spoke and complained that he had not been checking on her. She said he responded by explaining that work had kept him occupied.
“So I called and told him it was me. He responded, ‘Ahh, Mummy.’ I told him that you cannot even check up on me. He said it is work that has been a hindrance,” she recounted.
The elderly woman alleged that Toluwanisings sent her ₦10,000 on approximately three occasions following that conversation but did not provide further financial assistance afterwards.
She also claimed that she sought help contacting him when her phone became damaged and she needed assistance replacing it. According to her, the singer’s elder sibling advised her not to call him.
Asked whether the late musician had sent her medication or money to cover medical expenses, she replied: “There is nothing Sodiq (Toluwanisings) sends to me.”
Despite expressing disappointment over what she described as limited support, the grandmother became emotional while speaking about his death, saying that their family relationship remained important to her regardless of the financial assistance she received.
“When I heard that he had died, I felt so sad. Whether I benefited from him or not, he is still my child. I have accepted my fate. I wish God had taken me so I would not have had to witness this tragedy,” she said, breaking down in tears.
The grandmother also expressed disagreement with the reported plan to bury the singer in a cemetery, arguing that his final resting place should be his home.
“I do not agree that Toluwanisings should be buried in a cemetery. They should bury him at his house. They should not come and bury him close to his mother,” she said.
Toluwanisings’ family announced that the gospel singer died in the early hours of October 14, 2026, at the age of 41. The family did not disclose the cause of his death in the announcement.
The grandmother’s claims about their relationship, financial support and burial arrangements were made during the interview. The account provided no response from the singer’s immediate family to the allegations or details of the final burial plans.
