Kolawole Okanlawon has died, leaving Nigeria’s gospel music community mourning the singer and choirmaster whose death was announced on October 5, 2026. The news was shared by fellow gospel singer Esther Igbekele, who remembered Okanlawon with an emotional tribute and described his passing as a painful shock.
The late gospel singer was associated with the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Winners Parish in Lagos, where he served as a choirmaster. His death has since drawn reactions from colleagues, choir members, church members and fans who remembered him for his music and presence within the gospel community.
Kolawole Okanlawon death announced by Esther Igbekele
News of Kolawole Okanlawon’s death emerged publicly on Monday, October 5, after Esther Igbekele posted about his passing on Instagram. Her message quickly drew attention among gospel music followers, particularly because she said she had recently spent time with Okanlawon during her last trip to the United Kingdom.
Igbekele’s tribute reflected the difficulty of processing the news. She recalled their recent time together and described his death as more than a “rude shock,” while praying for comfort for his family and others who knew him.
Her announcement became the main public confirmation of the death, with Nigerian entertainment reports subsequently covering the loss.
Cause of death remains undisclosed
While reports have described Okanlawon’s death as sudden, no verified public statement has established what caused his death.
That distinction is important as tributes continue to spread online. Neither Igbekele’s announcement, as reported by Nigerian media, nor the reports reviewed for this story provided a confirmed cause of death.
For now, details about what happened before his death remain private. Any claims circulating without a statement from his family, church or another credible source should therefore be treated cautiously.
Kolawole Okanlawon’s role in gospel music
Okanlawon was known as a gospel singer and choirmaster, with his work connected to CCC Winners Parish in Lagos. His role as a choirmaster placed him within the musical and worship life of the church, while his identity as a gospel singer connected him to a wider community of Christian music followers.
Reports on his death also noted reactions from members of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria, colleagues and the wider Celestial Church of Christ community.
That combination of church service and gospel music helps explain why news of his passing travelled quickly across Nigeria’s gospel entertainment space. For many people who knew him through worship, music or church activities, the announcement represented the loss of a familiar figure.
His final public post draws attention
As tributes spread, attention also turned to what is being reported as Okanlawon’s final public Facebook post.
According to a report published on October 5, he shared the post on October 1, four days before news of his death emerged. The message was a prayer asking God to take control of the month, accompanied by Independence Day wishes.
The post has since attracted fresh reactions from people mourning his death. What was originally a simple message welcoming a new month and marking Nigeria’s Independence Day has taken on a different meaning for those now looking back at his final public appearance online.
Importantly, the post does not provide information about his health or the circumstances surrounding his death. It should therefore not be interpreted as evidence about what happened to him.
Gospel community mourns Kolawole Okanlawon
Okanlawon’s death comes at a time when Nigeria’s gospel music community continues to rely heavily on social media to share music, announcements, tributes and news about its members.
Esther Igbekele’s tribute has become one of the most visible public responses to his death. Her recollection of seeing him recently in the United Kingdom has also added a personal dimension to the story, highlighting how unexpected the news was for people who had interacted with him not long before his passing.
Beyond the immediate reactions, the loss has also been felt within the CCC community, where Okanlawon served as a choirmaster. His church role means his death is not only being discussed as an entertainment story but also as a loss within a worship community.
What is known about the death so far
At this stage, the confirmed details are limited but clear. Kolawole Okanlawon, a gospel singer and choirmaster associated with CCC Winners Parish in Lagos, died before October 5, when Esther Igbekele publicly announced his passing.
Reports published that day confirmed the death and documented tributes from people mourning him. His alias, Oba Kaakaki Alafin, has also appeared in coverage of his passing.
However, his age, exact time of death, location of death and cause of death have not been established in the reports reviewed for this story. There has also been no verified public announcement of funeral arrangements in the sources examined.
As tributes continue, further details may emerge from his family, church or colleagues. Until then, the focus remains on remembering the gospel singer and choirmaster and allowing those closest to him to mourn his passing privately.
For the Nigerian gospel music community, Kolawole Okanlawon’s death has left a painful gap. His colleagues and admirers are now remembering a man whose work was tied to gospel music and church service, while many wait for the family and church to provide any further official information.
