Nigeria's live music scene loses a high-energy performer with the death of Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as St. Janet.
The passing was disclosed on Sunday by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies on his Facebook page. In his post 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."
St. Janet built a reputation for rousing shows and a distinctive stage persona that made her a regular at social gatherings across Nigeria. Her music blended Juju and Highlife rhythms with party-focused lyrics, creating a catalogue that kept her in demand at celebrations and events.
Colleagues, fans and onlookers responded quickly after news of her death circulated. Tributes described her as a talented entertainer whose performances lifted crowds and whose songs provided the soundtrack to many occasions. The outpouring underscored her standing within the country's Juju community and among admirers of Highlife-inflected popular music.
Punch Newspapers carried the report on August 2, 2026 at 8:13 am, with Hannah Johnson named as the reporter. The announcement on social media and the subsequent tributes have left peers and audiences reflecting on St. Janet's contribution to Nigeria's live-music circuit and the party music tradition she championed.
As tributes continue to appear, her legacy will be measured by the many events and moments where her performances were central, and by the fans who recall her vibrant shows and unrestrained party songs.
