Gospel singer Lanre Alewilese has responded to controversy surrounding the sponsorship of Shadrach Taiwo’s UK education, following the death of Toluwanisings, Shadrach’s cousin and a fellow gospel singer.
The uproar began after Instagram user Yinka TNT released an audio recording in which Toluwanisings allegedly lamented the financial burden of paying for Shadrach’s studies in the UK, claiming he had already spent around N12 million and could no longer sustain the payments.
Yinka TNT further alleged that this financial strain led Toluwanisings to sever ties with his maternal family. To add to the debate, Yinka TNT posted a receipt for N6 million sent to Shadrach for school fees just days after Toluwanisings’ passing, fueling criticism against Alewilese for allegedly siding with the singer’s maternal relatives.
In an Instagram video, Alewilese clarified his involvement and the circumstances surrounding the support for Shadrach. He explained that he was unaware Shadrach was not Toluwanisings’ biological brother until after the singer’s death, as Toluwanisings had introduced Shadrach as his full sibling and had never suggested otherwise. Alewilese noted that Shadrach even served as best man at Toluwanisings’ wedding.
Recalling the events, Alewilese said Toluwanisings once sought his help to facilitate Shadrach’s travel to the United States—a trip that ultimately did not happen. Years later, Alewilese learned that Shadrach had been admitted to study in the UK and that Toluwanisings was covering his tuition annually.
Alewilese, who was in the UK when Toluwanisings died, obtained Shadrach’s contact from a band member. He advised Shadrach to remain vigilant, telling him he might need to step in as a father figure for Toluwanisings’ children. Shadrach reportedly expressed shock at Toluwanisings’ death and mentioned that the late singer had promised to pay his £6,500 tuition just three days after their last conversation. He also mentioned that his visa was expiring soon and that the Home Office was urging him to renew it.
Unable to immediately inform Toluwanisings’ widow about the situation, Alewilese created a fundraising group to support Shadrach, with donors contributing under the impression that Shadrach was Toluwanisings’ blood relative. Alewilese emphasized that this was before any conflicting information emerged from Toluwanisings’ hometown of Ikirun.
Alewilese later explained the situation and apologized to Toluwanisings’ wife, who, according to him, accepted his explanation without reproach. He expressed frustration that he is now being accused of knowing about Toluwanisings’ struggles with his family but failing to help.
Toluwanisings passed away on October 14 and was laid to rest at his residence in Ibadan on Monday.
