The death of Nigerian gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, has triggered public outrage following allegations that several hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State, failed to provide him with emergency treatment after he collapsed.

The singer’s personal assistant, Babadunni Olayemi, alleged that efforts to save his life involved taking him to several hospitals, where they reportedly encountered difficulties accessing medical attention. His account has renewed calls for improved emergency healthcare services and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.

Babadunni said the group took Toluwanisings to approximately seven or eight hospitals in Ibadan while trying to secure treatment.

“They took him to different hospitals. Some said the doctors were on strike, while others said he was rejected at the hospitals. We all tried, praying for him and taking him around to hospitals. We took him to about seven or eight different hospitals here in Ibadan, but God said it was his time,” he said.

The allegations have raised questions about whether the singer received timely medical attention and whether industrial action or limitations in hospital facilities affected efforts to save him.

However, the account has not independently established that every hospital visited refused treatment, and the precise circumstances of the singer’s medical emergency remain unclear.

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, was among the institutions mentioned in public discussions surrounding the incident. Its Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Enitan, said the hospital had resumed services following the suspension of a local strike by resident doctors.

Enitan said she was unaware that Toluwanisings had been brought to the hospital and that management had no official record of his admission.

“The hospital is running its services. The strike was a local one within the hospital; it was not a national strike. I was not aware that he was brought to UCH. I was not officially informed that he was brought to UCH. There was no record of it with the management,” she said.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, also said she was unaware of the singer’s death when contacted by Saturday PUNCH.

“Which gospel artiste? I don’t know the gospel artiste that died recently,” she said.

The state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, did not respond to calls or a WhatsApp message from the publication seeking his reaction.

The controversy has prompted calls from members of the public for greater accountability in emergency healthcare delivery, although the available accounts do not establish the medical cause of Toluwanisings’ death or conclusively determine whether delays in treatment contributed to it.

Toluwanisings was known for his energetic gospel performances and distinctive voice, but his journey into gospel music followed years of pursuing a career in fuji music.

Born in Ikirun, Osun State, he grew up in a Muslim family and was known as Sodiq before converting to Christianity. He discussed his religious background and musical journey during an interview with actress Biola Adebayo on her Talk to Bpodcast.

His conversion marked a turning point in his life and career, leading him to devote his musical talent to gospel music. He developed a style that blended contemporary gospel sounds with Yoruba musical influences, attracting listeners who enjoyed lively praise and worship songs.

Beyond music, Toluwanisings studied Estate Management and Valuation at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, graduating in 2017. Despite the demands of his education and personal challenges, he continued working towards establishing himself in the music industry.

During his interview with Adebayo, he acknowledged the support his wife provided during his transition into gospel music.

A family source who spoke to Saturday PUNCH said the singer had struggled financially while pursuing his education. The source also said he lost his mother at an early age and that his father later remarried.

According to the source, Toluwanisings subsequently helped his step-sibling relocate to the United Kingdom.

“He was only starting to enjoy the fruits of his labour before death snatched him away,” the source said.

Following his death, the singer’s family restricted access to its residence in Oluwakeeyin Community, Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, warning journalists and other visitors against taking photographs or recording videos within the compound.

When a Saturday PUNCH correspondent visited the residence on Friday, the neighbourhood was relatively calm, although family members, colleagues and friends had gathered outside the compound to discuss the loss.

A notice displayed on the gate read: “No photo, no video; media are not allowed in this compound. If you are caught, you will face the consequences.”

A female resident who declined to be identified advised the correspondent to leave, explaining that the family had made its position clear.

Another resident described the singer as a gentle and approachable person, expressing sadness over his death and offering prayers for his family.

Tributes have also continued to emerge from members of the entertainment and gospel music communities.

Comedian and content creator Ayo Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, described Toluwanisings as a musician with a distinctive voice whose songs brought joy to listeners and created lasting memories.

Woli Agba also said the late singer had repeatedly expressed concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare system and the possibility of being unable to access adequate treatment during a medical emergency.

According to him, Toluwanisings had previously spoken about considering treatment abroad because of his concerns about the country’s healthcare services.

Gospel singer Esther Igbekele also paid tribute, describing Toluwanisings as a humble and kind-hearted colleague.

She recalled their last conversation during her mother’s funeral and said that although she could not attend the singer’s funeral, he had contributed money towards the programme. She described the gesture as evidence of his generosity and respect for others.

Comedian and skit maker Akewusola Oladipupo, popularly known as MC Always, criticised the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and called on the government to improve emergency services.

In a video addressing the incident, he listed severe heart attack, pulmonary embolism and severe stroke among possible medical conditions that can cause a person to collapse suddenly. However, these were examples of possible emergencies, not confirmed diagnoses in Toluwanisings’ case. No medical evidence cited in the supplied report established the cause of his death.

MC Always also raised concerns about the availability of specialised medical equipment, including catheterisation laboratories, which are used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions.

He argued that patients experiencing life-threatening emergencies should be able to access appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays.

The singer’s death also generated reactions on social media, with some Nigerians sharing personal experiences involving emergency medical treatment and calling for improvements in public hospitals.

Social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, criticised the healthcare system and argued that the reported difficulties in securing treatment contributed to the public anger surrounding the case.

An X user identified as @festbrzy recalled losing their mother in 2020 and said the experience had highlighted the risks people face when they cannot access timely medical care.

Other users, including Popoola Gboyega, known as @poga11, and @alabi_fayzh, raised concerns about emergency treatment and called for better hospital services. Their comments reflected public frustration, but individual social media accounts do not independently establish what occurred at the hospitals involved in Toluwanisings’ case.

Another user, Adesanya Adebayo, questioned the lack of an organised emergency response system capable of transporting patients to appropriate facilities quickly.

The debate has brought renewed attention to longstanding challenges affecting Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including shortages of medical personnel, inadequate equipment, funding constraints and difficulties coordinating referrals between healthcare facilities.

The issue of patients allegedly being turned away from hospitals has also attracted public scrutiny in previous cases.

In 2020, former Super Eagles player Ajibade Babalade died after suffering cardiac arrest in Ibadan. Reports at the time said he had been denied treatment at a private hospital before being referred to UCH. His former teammate, Ike Shorunmu, also spoke publicly about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In 2025, the death of Arise News anchor Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who sustained injuries during an armed robbery at her Abuja residence, generated further questions about emergency care. Her colleagues, Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati, alleged that Maitama District General Hospital failed to treat her promptly, reportedly requesting identification documents first.

These cases have contributed to wider calls for clearer emergency treatment procedures and improved coordination between hospitals, although each incident has its own circumstances and should be assessed on the available evidence.

The Nigerian Medical Association has also called for stronger emergency medical services and an effective referral system to improve patients’ chances of survival.

Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the association’s National Secretary, Dr Desmond Tamunokuro, described emergency care as a critical measure of the quality of a country’s healthcare system.

He said hospitals that lack the personnel or equipment required to treat particular conditions should arrange appropriate referrals rather than leave patients without guidance on where to obtain urgent care.

“If the hospital’s available manpower and equipment cannot take care of the patient’s immediate health concern, the right thing for the hospital to do is to refer, not reject, the patient,” Tamunokuro said.

He acknowledged that patients and their relatives might interpret a referral as rejection, particularly when they are already distressed by a medical emergency.

Tamunokuro also highlighted the need for a coordinated paramedical emergency response system that can assess patients, identify suitable facilities and transport them to hospitals equipped to provide the required treatment.

He said such a system would reduce the time spent moving between facilities while a patient’s condition deteriorates.

The NMA National Publicity Secretary, Professor Olayinka Atilola, similarly noted that some hospitals refer patients because they lack the expertise, experience or equipment needed to manage particular conditions.

He said an honest assessment of a facility’s limitations could be necessary to prevent delays in obtaining appropriate treatment.

“When they bring a case of a severe head injury or something very complicated that you know you cannot handle, you tell them not to let you keep them there, wasting time. You need to proceed to where they can help you,” Atilola said.

The controversy surrounding Toluwanisings’ death has therefore intensified calls for improved emergency response systems, better-equipped hospitals and clearer procedures for handling critically ill patients.

However, questions remain about the exact sequence of events after the singer collapsed, the hospitals he was taken to, the treatment offered at each facility and the medical cause of his death.

Until those details are established, the allegations against individual hospitals remain unverified. The case nevertheless highlights the importance of ensuring that patients experiencing life-threatening emergencies receive prompt assessment, stabilisation and appropriate referral when specialised care is required.