Emotions ran high on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during the burial of late gospel singer, Bunmi Akinnaanu, at the Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos State, following a family confrontation that has since sparked widespread reactions online.
Akinnaanu, best known for her popular gospel song ‘Omije Ojumi’, passed away on January 12, 2026, after a prolonged battle with an ailment. While the graveside service was largely modest and solemn; marked by hymns, prayers, and traditional rites such as the sprinkling of sand on the coffin, tensions flared when relatives of her estranged husband attempted to facilitate contact between him and the children.
In a viral video from the burial, a man said to be Akinnaanu’s estranged husband was seen on a video call declaring his love and requesting to speak with the children. The attempt was firmly rejected by the singer’s son, who was visibly emotional and confrontational, denying his father access and expressing anger at his (virtual) presence during their mother’s burial.
The situation quickly escalated into a brief clash between both sides of the family before calm was eventually restored.
Before the final rites, Akinnaanu’s eldest daughter, Jomiloju, delivered a moving tribute, recounting the sacrifices her mother made to raise her children. She revealed that the singer largely raised them alone after their father left, describing years of hardship, resilience, and unwavering maternal devotion.
The incident has since generated an outpouring of reactions on social media, with many users expressing sympathy for the children and questioning the timing and intentions of their estranged father. An Instagram user, @official_kaimalight, commented, “This boy is going through pain, very valid reaction,” while @ade.xo.xo wrote, “How can an adult disrupt the peace of mourning innocent kids for God’s sake? He couldn’t wait till after the burial?” Another user, @towelsandbeddings, added, “This is so disheartening. Can’t all these be done at home? Why at the interment?”
It would be recalled that shortly after Akinnaanu’s death, a burial programme featuring a service of songs, candlelight procession, and a private interment scheduled for January 21, 2026, was announced. However, the plans were later suspended and eventually cancelled following internal disagreements.
Clarifying the situation, the singer’s brother-in-law, Femi Eretan, explained during the service of songs and artistes’ night held on Wednesday, January 28, in Lagos, that the family decided to take full responsibility for the burial after disagreements with members of the gospel music community who had volunteered to organise the event.
According to Eretan, the family head, Wale Akinnaanu, initially agreed to a proposal by some gospel artistes to conduct the burial within a week. He said the decision was influenced by Akinnaanu’s fragile health condition, the emotional strain on the family, and the desire to avoid keeping the singer’s remains in the morgue for an extended period given the circumstances of her death.
Eretan also addressed online backlash and claims made by a self-acclaimed prophet who circulated a video alleging that the family had publicly solicited funds and sought intervention from gospel artistes to bury the singer. He firmly denied the claims, insisting that the family never begged for money and was financially capable of handling the burial privately.
“I am from Ondo State, and I understand the rudiments of the law,” Eretan said. “Anyone who claims the family begged for burial funds must provide proof.”
