The death of Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as ToluwaniSings, has raised questions about access to emergency medical care after his personal assistant, Babadunni Gbolabo, said efforts to obtain treatment took them to between seven and eight hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Gbolabo said the singer suddenly slumped in the early hours of Wednesday, October 14, prompting frantic attempts to revive him and secure medical attention. According to him, some hospitals cited an ongoing doctors’ strike, while others did not admit the singer.

Speaking about the incident on Thursday, Gbolabo said he was not present when the singer collapsed but rushed to the scene after receiving a telephone call. He said those present had tried to resuscitate ToluwaniSings before taking him to different hospitals in search of medical assistance.
“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,” he said.

The aide added that the search for medical help continued across Ibadan, with some facilities reportedly unable to provide treatment because of the strike.
“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,” he said.

The account has brought attention to the difficulties families may face when seeking urgent medical attention. However, details of the hospitals visited, their reasons for not admitting the singer and the medical circumstances surrounding his death have not been independently established.

The singer’s family confirmed his death in a statement shared on his social media accounts, announcing that he died in the early hours of October 14. The family did not disclose the cause of death and said funeral arrangements would be announced later.

ToluwaniSings was known for gospel songs including A Very Big God and Onibuore. He had reportedly performed at a worship event in Ibadan on Tuesday, hours before his death.

His passing has prompted tributes from fans and members of the gospel music community. Meanwhile, his aide said the singer’s body had been taken to a mortuary as the family began consultations over the next steps.

The circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear, and the aide’s account does not establish whether delays in obtaining medical attention contributed to the outcome.