Key Takeaways
- Rukayat Gawat was born on June 30, though her birth year is unknown.
- She began her professional singing career at the age of 17.
- She passed away on September 24, 2024, after a brief illness.
Rukayat Gawat, a beloved Islamic singer from Nigeria, gained widespread popularity for her soulful religious songs and a voice that resonated deeply with the Muslim community, passing away in her early 30s.
Though her exact birth year isn’t widely known, Rukayat Gawat, whose full name was Rukayat Gawat Oyefeso, was born on June 30.
Rukayat began singing professionally at 17 and maintained a strong presence in the music industry for over two decades.
Born into a middle-class religious family in Isale-Eko, Lagos State, she was the first daughter of the famous broadcaster Alhaji Rasaq Gawat.
Raised primarily by her grandmother, she showed a deep religious inclination from an early age.
She started singing at the age of 4 and later joined the Islamic Musicians Association of Nigeria.
Despite early opposition from her father, who initially disapproved of her musical aspirations, he eventually supported her career before his sudden disappearance.
He disappeared in Lagos, and despite extensive investigations, his whereabouts were never discovered.
Reflecting on her father, she once said:
He was the best tutor I ever had. He loved and believed in me. He taught me never to look down on anybody. He told me to remain humble always.
Via Punchng
Though naturally shy, Rukayat found confidence behind a microphone, and music became her empowerment source.
While attending secondary school, she was active in various Islamic forums and later graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).
She began singing professionally at the age of 17. She shared:
I grew up with a strong passion for music, and when I realized I could sing, I jumped at the opportunity.
Via Guardian
Her passion for music led to a successful career, and she released multiple albums, including “Imole,” “Aye Le,” and “My Father.”
Some of her hit singles include “Ogo TunTun,” “Agbokol’ori,” “Temitope,” “Iyawo Obun,” “Odun Ayo,” “Ramadan Kareem,” and “Alao Jowu Jowu.”
Rukayat’s passing at the peak of her age on September 24, 2024, following a brief illness, left a profound impact on the Islamic music community. Her death marked the loss of a significant voice in Nigerian Islamic music.
Rukayat Gawat is survived by her husband, Mr. Oyefeso, their two children, Afolabi Aremu Ayomikun Istijabah and Haleemah Ayokami, as well as her family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Rukayat won the City People Award for Best Female Islamic Musician for her album “Ogbe Okan” (Wound of the Mind).
- In addition to her music career, she produced ice blocks and clean drinking water as part of her business ventures.
