The city of Ibadan and the entire Oyo State have been plunged into mourning following the passing of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, who died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025—just two days after marking his 90th birthday.
The revered monarch, who was officially installed on July 12, 2024, following the presentation of the Staff of Office by Governor Seyi Makinde, served on the throne for exactly one year. His reign, though brief, was marked by a deep sense of responsibility, a stabilizing influence, and a revitalization of cultural values within the ancient city.
Born on July 5, 1935, Oba Olakulehin was a man of immense pedigree, renowned for his humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to peace. His rise to the pinnacle of traditional leadership came after decades of service to Ibadan’s traditional chieftaincy system, climbing through the intricate and highly respected Olubadan succession line.
His transition has come as a shocking blow to the people of Ibadan, particularly as it occurred shortly after what many had described as a symbolic birthday celebration that signified both longevity and divine favour. Sources close to the Olubadan-in-Council confirmed that the monarch passed away quietly at his private residence after a brief health relapse. He had presided over traditional council activities as recently as the previous week.
During his one-year reign, Oba Olakulehin played a pivotal role in promoting communal harmony, reinforcing the socio-cultural identity of Ibadanland, and fostering mutual cooperation between traditional institutions and the government. He was widely praised for his impartial leadership style, wise counsel, and fatherly disposition.
Governor Seyi Makinde, in a solemn statement issued on Monday morning, expressed profound sadness at the monarch’s passing, describing it as “a painful loss of a noble custodian of our traditions and an enduring pillar of wisdom.” The governor noted that Oba Olakulehin’s death “creates a vacuum in the heart of Ibadanland,” and declared that flags across the state be flown at half-mast in honour of the late royal father.
Similarly, tributes have poured in from across political, religious, and traditional sectors. The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the late Olubadan as “a bridge-builder whose influence transcended palace walls.” Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, a high-ranking Ibadan chief, noted that “Oba Olakulehin’s leadership, though short-lived, left an indelible impression on Ibadan’s heritage.”
The Ibadan Traditional Council is expected to announce details of the final rites of passage and succession protocols in the coming days. Already, the Olubadan-in-Council, comprising the most senior chiefs and lineage heads, has convened emergency sessions to begin consultations on the next steps as prescribed by the traditional system.
The death of Oba Olakulehin signals the end of yet another chapter in the storied history of the Ibadan monarchy—one of the most unique and systematically structured traditional institutions in Yorubaland. His legacy will be remembered not only for the brevity of his rule but for the clarity of purpose, dignity, and peace he brought to the stool of Olubadan.
As the ancient city mourns, the black-and-white emblematic aso-ebi of loss has once again returned to the streets of Ibadan—a reflection of a people steeped in tradition, now preparing to celebrate and immortalize the life of their king, even in death.
