Nigerian comedian and Christian minister Bayegun Oluwatoyin, popularly known as Woli Arole, has condemned the growing controversy surrounding the death of gospel singer Toluwanisings, accusing some social media commentators of exploiting the tragedy for attention rather than showing compassion towards the bereaved family.
Arole expressed his concerns in a video shared on Instagram on Monday, November 2, 2026, as disagreements over the singer’s burial arrangements and unsubstantiated allegations circulating online continued to attract public attention.
The entertainer, who has increasingly devoted himself to Christian ministry, urged Nigerians to respect the deceased, support his widow and children, and allow the family to resolve sensitive matters without unnecessary public interference.
“It’s sad that a lot of people are now beginning to want to use it as a means for social media attraction,” Arole said, expressing frustration with individuals he believed were turning the singer’s death into an opportunity to generate online engagement.
His intervention followed the death of gospel musician Olayemi Bolaji, professionally known as Toluwanisings, on October 14, 2026. The singer’s passing prompted tributes from colleagues, admirers and members of Nigeria’s Christian entertainment community.
A night of tributes was subsequently held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on October 27, bringing together people who wished to honour his musical contributions and remember his life.
However, public mourning became entangled with disagreements concerning where the singer should be buried, attracting extensive commentary across social media platforms.
Reports indicated that his widow opposed burial at their matrimonial residence, while other family members favoured arrangements different from a cemetery burial.
The competing preferences generated arguments among online commentators, although the private discussions and motivations of individual family members have not been independently established in full.
Arole criticised the tendency to treat such sensitive disagreements as public entertainment, arguing that the singer’s family deserved space to grieve without being subjected to hostile speculation.
He questioned why some individuals commenting extensively on the death had shown comparatively little interest in promoting the singer’s music while he was alive.
For the minister, the appropriate response was to celebrate the artiste’s contributions and provide meaningful support to those he left behind.
“We've lost a great guy, great gift to a generation,” Arole said, describing the death as a painful loss for colleagues, friends and admirers.
He explained that people close to Toluwanisings were still struggling with the emotional consequences of his passing.
Arole also invoked Proverbs 31:8, a biblical passage encouraging people to speak on behalf of those unable to defend themselves, as he explained his decision to address the controversy.
He urged those involved in the burial disagreement to pursue a dignified resolution rather than prolonging public confrontation.
“Let the young man be given a befitting burial,” he appealed.
The minister maintained that disputes surrounding funeral arrangements could not erase the singer’s artistic achievements or the impact of his music.
He encouraged members of the public to redirect their attention towards preserving Toluwanisings’ legacy and protecting the welfare of his immediate family.
His comments placed particular emphasis on the emotional difficulties faced by the singer’s widow, who must navigate bereavement while caring for her children.
Arole recalled the effect of his father’s death on his own family, explaining that the experience had shaped his understanding of how profoundly losing a spouse can affect surviving relatives.
The controversy has also involved allegations circulated by a Canada-based preacher operating under the name Pastor Tayo Ministries.
Online statements associated with the preacher sought to connect several gospel entertainers and ministers to Toluwanisings’ death, prompting public denials and legal warnings.
Those allegations remain unsubstantiated, and no verified evidence has established criminal involvement by the individuals named.
Among those affected were gospel singer Tope Alabi, comedian Ayobami Ajewole, known as Woli Agba, and entertainer Olamide Oladimeji, popularly called Dele Omo Woli.
Their legal representatives issued notices in October rejecting the allegations and warning against the continued publication or circulation of statements they described as false and defamatory.
The lawyers argued that sharing unsupported accusations could damage reputations and expose those responsible to legal consequences.
Alabi’s representatives similarly demanded the removal of disputed publications and indicated that legal remedies could be pursued against individuals responsible for defamatory material.
The threatened legal action does not establish that proceedings have concluded or that a court has determined liability.
Nevertheless, the responses illustrate the seriousness with which the affected entertainers have treated allegations circulating after their colleague’s death.
Arole had previously criticised another pattern of online commentary following the tragedy, particularly messages from individuals claiming to have predicted the singer’s death through prophecy.
He questioned the value of publicising such claims while grieving relatives were still coming to terms with their loss.
He also criticised comments focusing on personal declarations against dying young, suggesting that such reactions could appear insensitive when directed towards a family experiencing bereavement.
His position reflects a broader concern about how social media discussions can shift attention away from victims and families towards controversy, personal visibility and competing narratives.
Public interest in the circumstances surrounding a prominent entertainer’s death is legitimate, but allegations of wrongdoing require credible evidence rather than speculation.
Similarly, disagreements over burial arrangements should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of misconduct by grieving relatives.
A separate report on November 2 indicated that singer Lanre Alewilese had announced an understanding between the widow and the deceased’s father concerning burial at the singer’s residence in Ibadan.
That reported development suggests progress towards resolving the disagreement, although a confirmed burial date had not been announced.
For Arole, the priority remains the dignity of the deceased and the wellbeing of those mourning him.
His appeal underscores the responsibility of public commentators to distinguish genuine concern from sensationalism, particularly when discussing allegations capable of harming reputations.
As tributes continue, the minister wants attention returned to Toluwanisings’ music, his family and the contribution he made to Nigeria’s gospel music community.
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