Shola Akinyele
The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Juju and Highlife singer Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, popularly known as St. Janet, Saint Janet, or Mama Yabis.
The outspoken musician reportedly died on Saturday, August 1, 2026, after a brief illness, bringing an end to a career that spanned decades and left an unforgettable mark on Nigeria’s Juju and Highlife music scenes.
News of her passing was first made public in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies, who shared the announcement on his social media platforms.
Davies wrote: “St Janet (Iyun Janet Ajilore), a popular Nigerian Juju and highlife musician known for her vibrant live performances, energetic stage presence, and socially unfiltered party tracks is dead. She died after a brief illness on Saturday.”
Although the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, some reports suggest that her illness was complicated by diabetes. As of Sunday morning, members of her family had not released an official statement, while details regarding her funeral arrangements remain unknown.
The announcement has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues and admirers, many of whom remembered the singer for her fearless personality, unique style and unmatched ability to entertain audiences at social gatherings and private events.
St. Janet was regarded as one of the most distinctive and controversial female figures in Nigeria’s Juju and Highlife music industry. Popularly nicknamed the “G.O. of Saint Bottles Cathedral,” also referred to by many as the “General Overseer of Sinners Chapel,” she built her reputation on a musical style that blended gospel-inspired song openings with bold, humorous, adult-themed and often provocative lyrics.
Her daring approach to entertainment made her both celebrated and criticised. While thousands of fans embraced her honesty, satire and humour, her songs also attracted the attention of regulators. Her albums, including Faaji Plus and 5G Plus, generated widespread conversations and pushed cultural boundaries. At different times, her music reportedly faced restrictions and bans from the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Lagos State House of Assembly over allegations of obscenity.
Despite the controversies, St. Janet’s popularity never faded. She remained one of the most sought-after performers for weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies and other private celebrations across southwestern Nigeria. Her electrifying stage performances, spontaneous interactions with audiences and witty “yabis” commentary became her trademark, earning her the affectionate nickname Mama Yabis.
Her live performances blended traditional Juju and Highlife rhythms with comedy, storytelling, social commentary and crowd engagement, making every performance different from the last. Many fans considered her one of the few entertainers who could seamlessly mix music with humour while addressing everyday life, relationships and societal issues.
Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, St. Janet was raised in a Cherubim and Seraphim Church background, where she served as a chorister in her younger years. The religious upbringing sharply contrasted with the bold public image she later became famous for.
She was married to musician and sound engineer Kayode Iyun, and the couple reportedly had no children.
In 2010, the singer experienced one of the darkest moments of her life when a fire engulfed her residence in Alagbado, Lagos, killing her adopted brother and destroying property worth millions of naira.
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