Bunmi Akinnanu, a Nigerian gospel singer known for her song “Omije Ojumi,” died on January 12, 2026, at a hospital in Lagos. She was 46.
A family source confirmed her death on January 14, with plans to release more details soon. Akinnanu, who had faced health issues for months. She dealt with a leg condition that caused ongoing bleeding. In late 2025, a video from a church service showed her seeking prayers for healing.
Born Bunmi Akinnaanu Adeoye, she started singing at age 10 in a Christian home. She studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at Lagos State University. She left a banking job to focus on gospel music full-time.
Her song “Omije Ojumi” gained popularity among listeners. She released other tracks like “Dabira,” “Alatileyinmi,” and “Ma-Sunkun-Mo.” After the news broke, colleagues shared messages online. Singer Esther Igbekele posted about her shock and sadness.
Fans expressed grief on social media. One X user, Timmy Sax, who had met with the singer, wrote, “The agony and pain of unanswered prayers. Rest easy Big Sis. Bunmi Akinaanu.” Another user @bubble_minakei who knew the late singer closely said, “Bunmi Akinaanu’s death unlocked some childhood core memories in me. We used to know her as Aunty Alaba back then, she was in ECWA Yoruba church choir. She used to work in the bank back then, then babysit my sister and I sometimes. We used to play with her Nokia 3310 that time, that snake game. Then the ECWA Yoruba church released the Omije Ojumi Album and it BLEW up nationwide. It was amazing to see, then she got married, left the church and moved on to better things. She got sick and it was a struggle and we believed God would heal her. Her death is such a shock to me, she died so young.”
Akinnanu’s music focused on faith and ministry. Her passing marks a huge loss for the gospel community in Nigeria.
