By Gideon Maxwell
June 7, 2025
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, has passed away, drawing the curtain on a remarkable life of service, leadership, and cultural stewardship.
The monarch, who celebrated his 90th birthday only two days earlier, died in the early hours of Monday, sending waves of grief across Ibadan and beyond.
Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, following the passing of his predecessor, Oba Lekan Balogun.
His emergence as the 43rd Olubadan came at a critical moment for Ibadan, a city steeped in history and tradition yet grappling with the demands of modernity.
During his year-long reign, he became a symbol of continuity for the people, reinforcing the resilience of the ancient institution and the unique Ibadan chieftaincy system, which rotates between civil and military lines.
A monarch’s journey: from soldier and entrepreneur to throne
Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja, near Akanran, he began his journey through the Ibadan traditional hierarchy many decades ago.
His life embodied the quintessential Ibadan story, a blend of ambition, industriousness, and commitment to communal values.
After receiving his early education in Ibadan and training in printing at Yaba Technical Institute, he joined the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers in 1970, serving the nation with distinction and retiring as a Major in 1979.
Following his military career, Oba Olakulehin ventured into business, establishing notable enterprises such as FAKOL Nigeria Limited, Solid Prints, and FAKOL Bakery, all of which contributed to Ibadan’s commercial landscape.
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His foray into politics saw him elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, representing Ibadan South East and chairing the House Committee on the Army.
Throughout his public life, he was widely regarded as a man of integrity, discipline, and deep respect for tradition.
A brief reign anchored in unity and tradition
The monarch’s passing comes just days after celebrations marking his 90th birthday, an event that drew tributes from political and cultural leaders nationwide, including President Bola Tinubu, who described him as “a custodian of tradition and an elder statesman whose life inspired unity and service.”
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who is expected to oversee arrangements for his burial and succession, described the news of his death as a profound loss not just to Ibadanland but to the Yoruba nation at large.
Oba Olakulehin’s brief but impactful reign is already being remembered for his efforts at fostering unity among Ibadan’s diverse communities, strengthening ties with the diaspora, and promoting Yoruba cultural heritage through festivals, education, and advocacy.
His calm and measured leadership style won him admiration far beyond Ibadan, affirming the relevance of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s contemporary governance and social life.
City mourns as succession process begins anew
As the city mourns, attention has turned to the next phase of the succession process. The Olubadan-in-Council and the Kingmakers will now begin deliberations to select the next Olubadan, in accordance with the established rotational system.
The Oyo State Government will play its statutory role in ratifying and presenting the Staff of Office to the successor, ensuring the seamless continuation of a tradition that has endured for centuries.
His death, so soon after his milestone birthday, has evoked a sense of poignancy, underscoring both the fragility of life and the enduring power of legacy.
In the markets and neighbourhoods of Ibadan, residents spoke in hushed tones of a man who served his people with humility and left a lasting imprint on the city’s story.
As Ibadan prepares to bid him farewell, his life serves as a testament to the ideals of service, dignity, and fidelity to tradition. He leaves behind a city in mourning but also a people resolute in upholding the values he embodied.
