Nigerian gospel singer Toluwanimee (Toluwanimi Ibiso Eleoramo) turned a personal health crisis into a powerful worship anthem. In early 2019 she released “The Reason,” a heartfelt ballad born from her own miraculous recovery after childbirth. After delivering her baby via Caesarean section, Toluwanimee contracted a serious hospital-acquired infection. Doctors warned the infection could be fatal, and the aggressive treatment left her kidneys functioning at only 25%. Facing the prospect of chronic kidney issues and other complications, Toluwanimee reported that once again God “showed up and healed me 100%”. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she began singing lines of praise – “I have a reason / To praise you Lord” – lyrics that would later become the chorus of “The Reason.” This article explores Toluwanimee’s background and illness, the inspiration and process behind the song “The Reason,” and its reception among gospel audiences.
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Biographical Background and Illness
Toluwanimee, born Toluwanimi Ibiso Eleoramo, hails from Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria, into a musically-inclined family. She pursued higher education in the UK, earning a degree in Biomedical Science and a master’s in Molecular Pathology and Genomics from Barts Cancer Institute in London. A prolific singer-songwriter and recording artist, Toluwanimee has released multiple albums (including Go Deeper and Good and More) and earned awards for her music. In March 2018 she welcomed a new baby, but complications quickly arose. She shared that after her Caesarean delivery she was readmitted to the hospital with an infection. In her own words: “A few months ago I had my baby and after delivery by surgery, I was readmitted because… I had gotten a hospital-acquired disease”. Doctors told her that if the infection were not treated properly, “the future risk was enormous, and could be fatal”. The antibiotics and treatments took a toll: they “affected my kidneys, leaving them working less than 25%”. Toluwanimee describes the moment of crisis: faced with potential lifelong kidney damage, a relapse of infection, high blood pressure and a newborn to care for, she turned to prayer. She testifies that, against all odds, God completely healed her.
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Songwriting and Inspiration of “The Reason”
Following her recovery, Toluwanimee found herself praising God spontaneously. While resting at home in Calgary, Canada, she recalls being “overwhelmed by the goodness of God” and singing the phrase “I have a reason to praise you Lord”. These lines came naturally as an expression of thanksgiving, and she knew they would form the core of a song. In her own description, “The Reason” is both a worship song and a love song of gratitude. Gospel media noted that Toluwanimee “goes intimate on this beautiful ballad,” explaining the motive behind her worship to God. A few months later Toluwanimee traveled to Abuja, Nigeria to record the song.
There she teamed up with renowned gospel producer Sunny Pee, who brought the track to life in the studio. The creative process was straightforward: the singer brought her heartfelt lyrics and melody, and Sunny Pee arranged and produced the song. The result is a slow, soulful worship ballad that emphasizes raw emotion. The single “The Reason” was released ahead of Toluwanimee’s debut album Go Deeper. (In fact, she later explained that part of why the album was delayed was due to her health ordeal — the new song “testifies” about that experience). “The Reason” showcases Toluwanimee’s personal testimony in worshipful form, with lyrics drawn directly from the praises she spontaneously sang during recovery.
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Public Impact and Reception
“The Reason” struck a chord with gospel audiences and critics alike. Media outlets and fans embraced the honesty of Toluwanimee’s testimony. Ahead of her album release, Gospel blogs highlighted the single and its backstory. For example, SelahAfrik’s album review noted that singles like “The Reason” have a “consistent… spiritual depth” that characterizes Toluwanimee’s music. The review also listed “The Reason” among the key worship tracks on Go Deeper, saying it “puts Toluwanimee in her default” mode of deep worship. In other words, critics saw “The Reason” as representative of the sincere, heartfelt style for which Toluwanimee is known.
Listeners have responded positively. On social media and streaming platforms, many shared how the song’s story inspired them. “The Reason” garnered thousands of plays, and its official video received warm reviews as a visual testament to her faith. The song’s message (praising God even without an obvious reason, simply because He gave her a new season of life) resonated especially with mothers and those recovering from illness. In Nigeria and abroad, people have cited Toluwanimee’s ordeal and recovery as evidence of hope and divine intervention. By turning a personal crisis into worship, she not only cemented her reputation as an international gospel minister, but also offered a powerful encouragement to anyone facing trials.
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Conclusion
Toluwanimee’s story illustrates how personal faith can be transformed into art that uplifts others. Her song “The Reason” is a direct outflow of her gratitude for healing; it takes the listener into her living room moments when she first praised God for recovery. In crafting a deeply personal yet universal message, she gave fans not just a song but a testimony. As reviewers have noted, “The Reason” stands among her most spiritually rich tracks, and it continues to inspire those who hear it. Toluwanimee’s triumphant journey from illness to music serves as a reminder that even the most difficult experiences can birth beauty and praise.