The death of Nigerian gospel singer ToluwaniSings has raised concerns over access to emergency medical care after his personal assistant, Babadunni Olayemi, disclosed that the singer was taken to between seven and eight hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a sudden collapse but could not receive the needed medical attention.
The singer, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, died on Wednesday a day after reportedly performing at a worship event.
His death has left fans and members of the gospel music community mourning an artiste known for songs such as A Very Big God and Onibuore, which earned him recognition among worshippers.
Speaking about the incident on Thursday, Babadunni said he was not present when the singer collapsed in the morning but rushed to the scene after receiving a phone call.
According to him, ToluwaniSings had appeared healthy before the incident, leaving those around him shocked by his sudden collapse.
“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,” the aide said.
He explained that those around the singer made frantic efforts to save his life, taking him from one hospital to another in search of medical assistance.
However, he alleged that some facilities gave reasons for their inability to attend to the singer, including the unavailability of doctors due to an ongoing strike, while others reportedly refused to admit him.
“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, but God said his time was up,” Babadunni said.
The aide disclosed that the singer’s body had been deposited in a mortuary, while the family was expected to meet and decide on funeral arrangements and other necessary steps.
He said the family members were still coming to terms with the loss and would determine the next course of action after consultations.
Death raises questions about emergency healthcare facilities
Beyond the grief surrounding the singer’s death, the account has drawn attention to the challenges families can face when seeking urgent medical attention in emergencies.
In cases involving sudden collapse, timely access to emergency assessment and treatment can be critical. The reported difficulties encountered while moving the singer between hospitals have therefore raised questions about emergency admission procedures, hospital capacity and the availability of medical personnel.
The aide’s account also comes amid reports of industrial action affecting healthcare services, although the circumstances surrounding the individual hospitals’ responses have not been independently established.
There is no indication from the account alone that the reported delays caused the singer’s death, and the precise medical cause of his collapse has not been disclosed.
For now, ToluwaniSings is being remembered for his contribution to gospel music, while his family and loved ones prepare to make arrangements following his death.