Her death marks the end of a life dedicated to ministry, marked by profound resilience and a voice that became a soundtrack of faith for millions.
For years, Bunmi was a revered figure in Nigeria’s gospel music scene, admired for her deeply spiritual songs, powerful vocal delivery, and commitment to Christian ministry. Her live performances were known for being profoundly moving and unforgettable.
Dating back to the early 2000s, her music resonated strongly with worshippers, particularly within Yoruba-speaking Christian communities.
FROM BANKING TO GOSPEL MUSIC
Born Oluwabunmi Alaba Akinnaanu, the singer was from Ondo state but was born and raised in Lagos. She attended primary and secondary school in Lagos before obtaining an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) from Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).
Shortly after her OND, she began working at EcoBank, where she remained for ten years.
In an interview, she revealed that while still at the bank, she gained direct entry admission to Lagos State University (LASU), where she studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management.
Bunmi disclosed that during her time as a banker, colleagues often told her that banking was not her true “calling” because she was always singing at work. She agreed, believing there was “something greater” within her.
She also stated that immediately after completing her bachelor’s degree, she left banking to pursue gospel ministry full-time.
“I just discovered that when I was still at the bank, I would be at my desk and start singing. People would tell me that banking was not my calling. I myself knew that it was not my calling because I had something in me. While still at the bank, I processed my admission into the university. When I was done, I left the bank and decided to go into ministry fully,” she said.
‘OMIJE OJUMI’ AND BUNMI’S LEGACY
Akinnaanu, who began singing at the age of 10, rose through the ranks as a choir member at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Mushin, Lagos.
The singer’s journey to stardom was paved with remarkable humility. In a viral video from 2025, Bunmi opened up about her difficult beginnings. Her story was so moving that she hesitated to give interviews, as recounting it would reduce everyone present to tears.
She narrated a childhood of such poverty that she attended Sunday services in worn-out clothes and bathroom slippers.
The gospel singer also revealed that during the recording of ‘Ibere Nla’, a song she performed at ECWA, everything she wore was borrowed.
“My story is very touching, and that is why I hardly accept interviews. It usually gets to a point during those interviews where I, the interviewer, the cameraman, and those present would burst into tears. I would explain how I used to wear rags and bathroom slippers to every Sunday service,” she said.
“I do not usually say this, but the cloth I wore in the video of ‘Ibere Nla’ was borrowed. If you look closely at the video, you will notice that someone else also wore it among the dancers. Even the earrings that I wore—the owner was dancing behind me. Immediately, one fell, she signalled me to pick it up so it wouldn’t get lost.”
Bunmi rose to fame after releasing ‘Omije Ojumi’, her debut album, in 2004.
In another interview, she said the song became so closely associated with her that many people no longer referred to her by her given name, instead calling her Omije Ojumi — meaning tears in my eyes.
“‘Omije Ojumi’ is a song I sang in church. There is no way I can hide my story from everyone; people already know it. So I thought that when people hear ‘Omije Ojumi’, they would know my story, how I started, and we thank God for it. So the name is one that I took from the song that God used me to sing in my church.
“I discovered that when the song came out, people did not even want to know my real name. Whenever I got to any place, even if they said Bunmi Akinnaanu, they would say no and refer to me as ‘Omije Ojumi’. I thought, since that is what people like, let us use it. That is how I came by the name.”
Following the success of ‘Omije Ojumi’, Akinnaanu released several other gospel songs, including ‘O Ti Sure’, ‘Dabira’, ‘Alatileyinmi’, ‘Ma Sunkun Mo’, ‘Tujuka’, ‘Testimony’, and ‘Oti Mure Wa’, cementing her place as a respected worship minister.
In 2017, she was honoured by Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, for her album titled ‘Testimony’.
BUNMI’S MONTHS-LONG BATTLE WITH A SWOLLEN LEG
In October 2025, a video of the singer went viral in which she appealed for prayers and divine healing while battling a severe leg ailment.
The video was recorded during a service at G.F. David Ministries in Ibadan, Oyo State.
It captured the ‘Omije Ojumi’ hitmaker seated with her leg stretched out on a chair, receiving prayer from a pastor. An intravenous (IV) cannula was visible attached to her hand, underscoring the severity of her condition.
Addressing the congregation, the cleric stated that the singer had been suffering from a persistent leg condition, which he identified as a spiritual attack.
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Bunmi’s colleague Ayo Melody announced that she had passed away in a Lagos hospital, where she was receiving care.
She is survived by her husband and children.
Akinnaanu’s legacy is one of triumphant faith rising from tangible adversity. She translated a story of personal hardship into universal anthems of hope that fortified worshippers for over two decades. More than a musician, she was a testament to the belief that a calling, once embraced, can uplift not just an individual but an entire community.
Her voice, her story, and her spirit, immortalised in song, will continue to echo as a profound source of strength and inspiration.
By Taiwo Oshunloye
