Ibadan woke up on Monday, July 7, 2025, to hear the shocking passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin.
The monarch, who ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, joined his ancestors at the age of 90.
His death is not only a big blow to his immediate family, but the entire Ibadanland and Oyo State generally.
This is because it came barely a few days after the monarch celebrated his 90th birthday (he clocked 90 on July 5). It’s also at the time when activities marking his first coronation anniversary had been fully activated.
July 12, 2025, would have made it exactly a year since he was presented with the staff and instrument of office by the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Some of the activities to mark the monarch’s coronation anniversary had already kicked off. On Friday, July 4, some eminent personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of Ibadanland were honoured with chieftaincy titles. Earlier on, the maiden edition of the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup kicked off on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Bishop Philips Academy, Monatan, Ibadan.
Also to mark his 90th birthday, the monarch, represented by his son, Prince Bimbo Olakunlehin, visited Adeoyo General Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, and Oluyole Cheshire Home, during which food items and cash gifts were presented to children and the less privileged.
Though the reign of Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland was short, but it was peaceful and fruitful. His time as Olubadan not only witnessed an impressive development, but his leadership style further strengthened the traditional institution and restored pride and dignity to Ibadanland.
Oba Olakulehin, a retired soldier, ascended the throne from the Balogun Olubadan chieftaincy line, following the demise of Oba (Dr.) Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, died at the age of 81 years on March 14, 2024.
The late monarch was born to the family of Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi in Okugbaja village, Ita Baale near Akanran in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He attended St James Primary School, Oke Akaran, Islamic School, Odoiye but eventually finished his primary school education at St Peter Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan.
He afterwards taught briefly as a primary school teacher at Wakajaiye in the Akobo area of Ibadan and later gained admission to Yaba Technical Institute for vocational study in printing and artwork.
In 1959, Owolabi Olakulehin commenced his career at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan, entering as a third-class clerk.
At the same time, he gained admission to the Yaba College of Technology to pursue his higher studies where he eventually obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.
In 1970, through a Direct Short Service Commission, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. He subsequently undertook diverse roles and assignments throughout the nation, steadily advancing to the rank of Major.
At the Nigerian Army, Olakunlehin served at various leadership positions, including that of Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos. He retired as a major on October 1,1979.
Olakunlehin, after his retirement from the Nigerian Army, ventured into entrepreneurial ventures, through FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a construction firm, Olakulehin Press, (later rebranded as Solid Prints) and FAKOL Bakery in the city of Ibadan.
Late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, in his lifetime, was also a politician. He contested in 1992 and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to represent the Ibadan South East Constituency.
As a Federal honourable, Olakunlehin served as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Nigerian Army.
His journey to becoming the Olubadan of Ibadanland began in 1983 when he emerged as the Mogaji of his compound, the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, Ibadan.
He rose through the Olubadan chieftaincy ladder till he became the Balogun of Ibadanland, which is one of the two most senior chiefs in Ibadan.
After several rumours of ill health and scheming in some quarters for him not to be nominated, Oba Olakunlehin was eventually crowned as Olubadan on 12 July 2024, and he reigned till 7 July 2025.
-Dare Adeniran
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