The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, has passed away at the age of 90, just days after celebrating his milestone birthday and marking one year on the throne.
His passing, confirmed on Monday, July 7, has sent waves of grief across Ibadanland and beyond. The late monarch, who was installed as the 43rd Olubadan on July 12, 2024, was widely admired for his humility, wisdom, and dedication to Ibadan’s cultural and economic growth.
Just days before his death, dignitaries including Senator Sharafadeen Alli and representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) gathered to honour the monarch on his 90th birthday, lauding his efforts to foster unity and development.
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Oba Olakulehin’s short reign was marked by advocacy for peace, cultural pride, and a progressive vision for Ibadan as a thriving centre of commerce and education.
While an official announcement from the palace is still expected, tributes have begun pouring in from across the country, underscoring the late monarch’s legacy as a steady and noble presence in Nigeria’s traditional leadership.
Ibadanland now mourns the loss of a king who gave his final year in service to unity, progress, and peace.