PUBLIC OUTRAGE SPARKS AS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL REACTS TO REJECTION ALLEGATIONS FOLLOWING DEATH OF GOSPEL ARTISTE TOLUWANISINGS

Management of UCH distance facility from emergency refusal claims while public indignation grows over systemic failures across medical facilities in Ibadan

Widespread public outrage has erupted across Nigeria following reports that popular gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, known as Toluwanisings, was allegedly turned away by up to eight medical facilities in Ibadan after suddenly slumping, leading to his untimely death.

The 31-year-old musician, known for hit tracks such as "A Very Big God" and "I'm Not Alone," collapsed in the Alakia area of Ibadan shortly after performing at a gospel concert.

According to his media aide, Babadunni Gbolabo, frantic efforts to secure emergency medical attention failed as multiple hospitals across the city refused to admit him, citing doctor strikes, unavailable personnel, or outright refusal to offer emergency care.

Reacting to allegations linking premier tertiary centers to the tragic event, the management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, clarified its position, stating that the hospital runs active operations and received no official record or notice of the late artiste being brought to its emergency units.

A spokesperson for UCH emphasized that while local internal labor disputes occurred within certain units, emergency services remained functional, asserting that no official report indicates Toluwanisings was brought to or turned away by the hospital's triage team.

The tragedy has reignited intense national criticism regarding emergency response standards, patient rights enforcement, and the persistent denial of emergency care across public and private healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

Civil society organizations, healthcare advocates, and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have faced renewed demands to investigate the systemic lapses surrounding medical emergency protocols in the country.