Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadan has passed away. He was ninety years old. The monarch died early on Monday, July 7, 2025, after a year in power after ascending to the throne in July 2024. Oba Olakulehin, who was born on July 5, 1935, passed away two days after his 90th birthday.
After his predecessor, Oba Lekan Balogun, passed away in March 2024, Oba Olakulehin was formally crowned on July 12, 2024. His rise came after the Ibadan chieftaincy line’s customary rotating succession method, in which seniority and merit are the only criteria for advancement.
Oba Olakulehin was born on July 5, 1935, in the cultural center of Ibadan. He finished his early schooling at St. Peter Primary School in Aremo after starting at St. James Primary School in Oke Akaran. After a brief stint as a schoolteacher, he went on to study printing and design at the Yaba Technical Institute in Lagos.
The late monarch had a distinguished career in public service prior to his accession to the throne. In 1992, he was chosen to represent Ibadan South East as a member of the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
He entered national politics as the chair of the Nigerian Army Committee in the National Assembly and started off as the Mogaji of his family compound before progressively moving up the ranks to become the Balogun of Ibadanland. His ascension to the throne was widely hailed as evidence of the distinctiveness and equity of Ibadan’s customary succession plan.
As of the time of this publication, details regarding his burial rites have not yet been made public.
In addition to his children and other family members, Oba Olakulehin leaves behind a legacy of service to his people.
