St. Janet, Nigeria’s ‘General Overseer of Sinners’ Chapel,’ Dies After Brief Illness

St. Janet, Nigeria’s ‘General Overseer of Sinners’ Chapel,’ Dies After Brief Illness

Iyun Janet Ajilore, the celebrated Nigerian Juju and highlife musician popularly known as St. Janet, has died after a brief illness. The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues mourning the loss of one of the most unique and fearless voices in indigenous Nigerian music.

The veteran entertainer reportedly passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies announced the news early on Sunday through his social media handles. According to Davies, St. Janet died after a brief illness. Her family has yet to release an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding her death or announce funeral arrangements.

St. Janet, who was also fondly called “Mama Yabis,” carved a unique niche for herself in Nigeria’s indigenous music scene. She rose to prominence as one of the most prominent female voices in a genre largely dominated by male performers. Her style was a distinctive blend of Juju and highlife music with witty, socially unfiltered lyrics that often addressed societal issues, gossip, and everyday happenings. This earned her a reputation as a fearless and charismatic entertainer who pushed boundaries and sparked public debate about censorship and artistic expression.

Known for her electrifying live performances and engaging stage presence, St. Janet became a regular feature at weddings, birthdays, chieftaincy ceremonies, and other high-profile social gatherings across southwestern Nigeria. Her music, often performed in Yoruba and infused with rich cultural expressions, earned her a loyal following. Some of her notable and controversial albums included ‘Faaji Plus’ and ‘5G Plus,’ which pushed cultural boundaries and sparked public discussion.

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Interestingly, the controversy surrounding her ‘Faaji Plus’ album was never intended for public consumption. In a previous interview, St. Janet explained that the music was a live performance at a private party for select guests that was later pirated and released to the public. She stated, “The CD that you see out there is not really an album. It was a live performance at a party for selected people. The music is meant for adults. It was not meant for everybody.”

Despite the controversy, St. Janet remained unapologetic about her artistic style. “I know that people are criticising me because I am a woman. If I were a man, nobody would complain that I am singing obscene songs,” she once said. She insisted that her music reflected societal realities and that she gave her audiences what they wanted. At the same time, she maintained that her on-stage persona was different from her off-stage character, describing herself as naturally shy and reserved.

The late musician’s background was deeply rooted in Christianity. She was a chorister in a white garment church before transitioning into professional music. This religious foundation often influenced her performances, as she would start her shows with gospel songs before moving into more provocative material, a strategy that one scholar described as an “insidious approach” to erotic performances.

Her career spanned decades, beginning as a backup singer for her master, Lord Kenge, before launching her solo career. She once explained that her stage name “Saint” came from her master, who called her a “saint” because of her quiet, reserved nature off-stage.

St. Janet’s passing has generated an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and lovers of indigenous Nigerian music, many of whom have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late performer. She is remembered as an entertainer with unmatched stage charisma and an enduring legacy that contributed significantly to preserving and promoting Juju and highlife music in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, members of her family have yet to issue a detailed statement on the circumstances surrounding her death or announce burial arrangements. The passing of St. Janet marks the end of an era for many followers of indigenous Nigerian music, but her extensive body of work and contributions to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba musical heritage are expected to endure for generations.

St. Janet, Nigeria’s ‘General Overseer of Sinners’ Chapel,’ Dies After Brief Illness