A disagreement has emerged between the family of late Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, and his widow, Elizabeth, over where the musician should be laid to rest.
The dispute centres on a request by the singer’s father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, who wants his son buried inside the house or compound he built in Ibadan, Oyo State, or taken to his hometown of Ikirun in Osun State.
However, Elizabeth opposes the proposal, preferring that her late husband be buried in a conventional cemetery.
The disagreement has drawn public attention, with social media users divided over the family’s traditional expectations and the widow’s concerns about living with her husband’s grave on their property.
Toluwanisings died on October 14, 2026, aged 34, according to his father’s account.
Why Toluwanisings’ father wants him buried at home
In a public appeal, Muniru explained that he would prefer his son to be buried within the property the musician built in Ibadan.
Alternatively, he wants Toluwanisings taken to Ikirun, where he could be laid to rest beside his late mother.
The father reportedly said a burial at the family property would bring him happiness and allow relatives to gather there for prayers in remembrance of the singer.
He also expressed reservations about burying his son in a public church or cemetery, fearing that the musician could eventually be forgotten.
His position has brought the family’s burial plans into the spotlight as relatives prepare to bid farewell to the gospel singer.
During his address, Muniru also sought to correct reports circulating online about his son’s age.
He said Toluwanisings was born in July 1992 and was 34 when he died, disputing claims by some online publications that he was 41 or 44.
Why the widow wants a cemetery burial
Elizabeth has maintained that she does not want her husband buried inside their home or compound.
The disagreement has raised questions about the emotional burden a home burial could place on a surviving spouse who would continue living on the property.
Those sympathetic to the widow argue that having her husband’s grave within the home could make it more difficult to process her grief, particularly because she would encounter the burial site regularly.
For them, her preference for a cemetery is not necessarily a rejection of her husband’s family or their traditions but a concern about how she would cope with the loss over time.
Others, however, have called for the father’s wishes to be considered, citing the importance of family traditions and the role parents play in making final arrangements for their children.
The dispute has therefore developed into a broader discussion about bereavement, cultural expectations and the practical considerations involved in deciding where a loved one should be buried.
What the law says about burying someone at home
The disagreement has also raised questions about whether a person can legally be buried within a private residential property in Nigeria.
The legality of such a burial depends on the applicable laws and local regulations, including any requirements for official authorisation and public health compliance.
The reference to Section 246 of the Criminal Code in discussions surrounding the dispute should be verified against the relevant legislation before being presented as a specific legal prohibition on home burials.
Consequently, it would be premature to conclude that either party has a definitive legal advantage without confirming the applicable provisions and the circumstances of the proposed burial.
The final decision may depend on the family’s arrangements, the relevant authorities’ requirements and any applicable legal process.
Toluwanisings’ memorial and burial arrangements
Despite the disagreement, plans for the gospel singer’s memorial events are proceeding according to the schedule circulated by the family.
The Night of Tributes and Service of Songs is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 3 pm at the Hall of Grace, Jogor Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. Attendees have been asked to wear white.
The burial events are scheduled to take place between October 27 and October 28.
However, the precise burial location remains a key issue amid the disagreement between the singer’s father and his widow.
Whether Toluwanisings will be laid to rest at the property in Ibadan, in his hometown of Ikirun or in a cemetery has not been conclusively established by the information available.
As preparations to honour the musician continue, the dispute highlights the difficult decisions families sometimes face after a death, particularly when personal grief, cultural expectations and differing views about a loved one’s final resting place collide.