Nigerian Gospel Singer Bunmi Akinnanu, Voice Behind Omije Ojumi, Dies After Prolonged Illness

|By Queen Banigo

Popular Nigerian gospel singer Bunmi Akinnanu, widely celebrated for her soul-stirring hit Omije Ojumi, has died.

The singer’s death was confirmed on Tuesday evening by a close source familiar with her family. As of the time of filing this report, the family has yet to issue an official statement, with further details expected in the coming days.

Akinnanu’s passing follows months of intense public concern and prayer appeals as she battled a severe leg ailment. In late 2025, a video from a church service at G.F. David Ministries in Ibadan circulated widely on social media. The footage showed the gospel artiste seated with her leg stretched out while prayers were offered for her healing.

During the service, the presiding cleric disclosed that Akinnanu had been suffering persistent bleeding in her leg, triggering an intense prayer session. The video quickly went viral, drawing nationwide attention and sparking prayer vigils, online campaigns, and messages of solidarity from fans and fellow worshippers across Nigeria. Despite the widespread concern, the exact medical details surrounding her condition were never officially made public.

Born into music, Akinnanu began her musical journey at the age of 10. She later made the decisive move to leave a banking career in order to pursue gospel music full-time. Her breakthrough came with Omije Ojumi, a deeply emotional worship song that struck a chord with many Nigerians and cemented her place in the gospel music space.

Over the years, she released several other gospel tracks and earned a reputation as a devoted minister whose music blended spirituality, vulnerability, and heartfelt worship. Her death marks a significant loss to the Nigerian gospel music community, where she was regarded as one of its respected and impactful voices.