Saint Janet Laid to Rest in Ogun as Family and Friends Say Goodbye

Veteran Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician Iyun Janet Ajilore, known as Saint Janet, has been buried in Abeokuta, Ogun State, weeks after her sudden death.

The singer was laid to rest on Wednesday at her home following funeral events that brought together her children, family, colleagues, and fans.

Among those who came to mourn were veteran Juju musician Gentleman Dele Taiwo and other notable figures from the traditional music scene.

Videos from the burial showed an emotional farewell as Saint Janet’s children and other mourners gathered around her before she was laid to rest.

The burial marked the end of funeral activities that started on Tuesday with a candlelight service, a Christian wake, and Artists’ Night at the AIT/Faaji FM compound in Kola Alagbado, Lagos. The family had earlier announced that her burial would happen the next day at her home in Abeokuta.

Saint Janet, affectionately known as "Mama Yabis", made a unique mark in Nigeria’s Juju and Highlife music with her style that mixed music, humour, satire, and sharp social commentary.

Her passing ended a career where controversy was just as much a part of her identity as her lively performances.

Sudden Death

News about Saint Janet’s death came on 2 August after what was initially described as a short illness. Later accounts from her children revealed that her death was unexpected.

Her children, Omowunmi, Orinayo, and Fola, shared during an interview with Alore TV that their mother had not shown any clear signs of being sick before she died.

She had performed at an overnight event in Sango, Ogun State, just before her death, and according to her family and manager, she finished the performance without showing any signs of distress.

After returning home, she went about her day normally, including visiting a market and cooking food.

Her family said she later complained of chest pain and had trouble breathing.

Relatives rushed her to the hospital, where she was put on oxygen but died soon after.

Her manager also recalled speaking with her on the day she died, saying Saint Janet told him she was cooking soup and would call him back. This showed a sharp contrast between her normal activities that day and the medical emergency that followed hours later.

The family then set up a committee to plan her funeral and held nine days of prayers and thanksgiving before the final rites.

Who Was Saint Janet?

Saint Janet held a unique place in Yoruba popular music.

Though linked with Juju and Highlife music, her performances often went beyond music into comedy and social commentary, known as yabis, funny or biting remarks about people, relationships, and daily life.

Her straightforward delivery and willingness to tackle adult themes earned her the nickname “Mama Yabis” and set her apart from other female performers in the genre.

She also used religious imagery in her stage persona, even while performing material that was sometimes sexually explicit. This contradiction became a key part of her public image.

Saint Janet built a lot of her reputation on live performances, especially at parties and social events where her interaction with the audience, humour, and energetic delivery were central to her charm.

Controversial Career

Her music was not without its issues.

Saint Janet became well-known for songs with sexually explicit lyrics and open discussions about relationships and sexuality.

Her work faced criticism for being obscene and sparked debates about the limits of artistic expression, traditional Yoruba performance culture, and what is acceptable in popular entertainment.

Some of the recordings linked to her career include “Faaji Plus”, “Olori Ebi”, and “All Eyes On Me.”

Despite, and sometimes because of, the controversies around her music, Saint Janet gained a loyal fan base and became a recognizable figure in the Yoruba party music scene.

Her career was marked by her ability to say what others might avoid discussing publicly, making her a polarizing figure but also ensuring she had a special place in the Juju and Highlife music scene.