Popular Juju Singer Saint Janet Dies After Brief Illness
Veteran Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, has died after a brief illness, bringing to an end a decades-long career that earned her widespread recognition across Nigeria’s indigenous music scene.
The entertainer, affectionately known to fans as “Mama Yabis,” reportedly passed away on Saturday. Her death was announced on Sunday by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies in a post on his Facebook page, describing her as a popular Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician known for her vibrant live performances, energetic stage presence, and socially unfiltered party tracks. Gospel juju musician Akinola Ayoola Michael, popularly known as Alayo Singer, also confirmed the development in an Instagram post, sharing a candle image alongside a message wishing her eternal rest.
As of the time of reporting, Saint Janet’s family had not issued an official statement confirming her passing or released details regarding the nature of her illness or funeral arrangements.
Throughout her career, Saint Janet carved out a distinctive niche within the Juju and Highlife genre, building a devoted fanbase through performances that combined music with wit, satire, and unfiltered social commentary on everyday Yoruba life, relationships, and community issues. At a time when the genre was largely dominated by male performers, she distinguished herself with a powerful stage presence and a repertoire that reflected the realities of contemporary Nigerian social life.
She was known for her fearless and often controversial lyrics, which earned her a loyal following among music lovers even as it occasionally drew scrutiny from regulatory authorities. Her recording “Faaji Plus,” which featured explicit lyrics, notably earned her bans from regulatory bodies including the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Lagos State House of Assembly. Rather than diminishing her career, the controversy appeared only to cement her reputation among fans who embraced her boldness and her ability to blend humour and satire with social commentary.
News of her death sent shockwaves through the Nigerian entertainment industry, with tributes pouring in from fans, colleagues, and stakeholders across social media. Many reflected on her recent activity online, with some noting she had posted about an upcoming show in Abesan only days before her passing, and others recalling a trip to London she had taken in recent months, which had fuelled hopes among fans of a career resurgence.
Saint Janet’s passing adds to the storied legacy of Nigeria’s Juju music tradition, a genre shaped over the decades by legendary artistes including King Sunny Ade and the late Ebenezer Obey, who helped carry Nigerian traditional music to global audiences. Through her performances and recordings, Saint Janet carved out her own space within that legacy and became a familiar and cherished name among lovers of Yoruba popular music, with fans continuing to remember her as a vibrant performer whose music brought joy to countless social gatherings and celebrations.
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