President Bola Tinubu has received with a deep sense of grief the news of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on Monday at the age of 90.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president extended his heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the government, and people of Oyo State, as well as the entire Ibadanland, on the loss of the revered traditional ruler, a statesman, and a symbol of peace, wisdom, and continuity.
President Tinubu mourned Olubadan and celebrated his remarkable life of service to his people, the state, and the nation.
President Tinubu described the late monarch as a highly accomplished man of peace, a public servant, and a royal father whose life embodies the highest ideals of leadership, learning, and service.
“Oba Owolabi Olakulehin was not only a custodian of Ibadan’s rich history and culture but also a man of intellect and principle whose contributions extended beyond the palace into education, governance, and national development. His passing is a significant loss to Ibadanland and the nation.
“Just last week, I received an invitation from the late Olubadan to his 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary celebrations. Shockingly, his death came days before the anniversary. He will be remembered for upholding the honour and prestige of his highly revered stool,” the president says.
President Tinubu lauded Oba Olakulehin’s legacy as one that bridged tradition and modernity. He added that his wisdom and moral authority served as a stabilising force in Ibadanland and the wider Yoruba nation.
The president prayed for the peaceful repose of the monarch’s soul and urged the people of Ibadan to take solace in his life and the values he embodied.
Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has also expressed profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences on the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The governor, who received the delegation from the family, including the former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Aare Mayegun of Ibadanland, Chief Bayo Oyero; the younger brother of the deceased Olubadan, Mr Osuolale Owolabi Olakulehin; and the son of the deceased, Aremo Olasumbo Owolabi, in his office, said the state would stand by the family at this period and also give the late Olubadan a befitting burial.
He said, “We don’t always want them to go; we want them to stay with us. But God has designed our bodies for a specific period.
“I commiserate with the family and all of us. The government will stay with the family and play whatever roles we are supposed to play, including giving Kabiyesi a befitting burial.
“I will ask all the members of the family to take heart. Coincidentally, today marks the 13th year since my father passed on. So, for the immediate family, I pray for strength.”
Earlier, Chief Oyero said: “We are here this morning with gratitude to God and to formally inform you of the passing away of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Frederick Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, who passed away early this morning.
“We thank you very sincerely. Despite the controversial situation we had before he ascended the throne, you still approved his ascension to the imperial throne of Ibadanland.
“We want to thank your government for all you have done, including a remarkable, historic coronation ceremony, which the government did for him.”
Also commiserating with the government and people of Oyo State over the demise of the traditional ruler, the Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed deep sorrow upon receiving the news of the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan and Paramount Ruler of Ibadan Land.
In a heartfelt message of condolence, the Sultan extended prayers and sympathies on behalf of himself and the Sultanate Council, Sokoto, to the Oyo State government, the bereaved family, and all members of the Olubadan-in-Council.
He acknowledged the late monarch’s significant contributions towards the development of Ibadan Land and humanity at large.
“The passing of this great monarch leaves a void that will be felt across the land. He was a remarkable leader—a good-hearted giant in thought and action. Even though he was with us for just a year beyond his ascension to the throne, his legacy and dedication to his people will forever resound in the hearts and minds of everyone.
“May God grant the family and the good people of Ibadan Land the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Ameen,” the Sultan prayed.
The Sultan’s words reflected the profound respect and admiration held for Oba Olakulehin, whose legacy will be cherished by generations.
In the same vein, the Okere of Sakiland extended condolences to Ibadanland over Oba Olakulehin’s passing, saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn of Oba Samuel Olakulehin’s passing but found solace in the indelible marks he left behind as a monarch. His transition to the great beyond is a significant loss to our traditional institution.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, family, the entire people of Ibadan, friends and loved ones of the deceased monarch. May the Almighty grant us the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
“Oba Olakulehin will forever be remembered for his contributions towards the progress and development of traditional institutions and our beloved Oyo State.
The Emir of Ilorin and chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in a condolence message, mourned the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Sulu-Gambari, in the condolence message issued by his spokesman, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described Oba Olakulehin’s one-year reign as peaceful and valuable to the sustenance of the cultural heritage and tradition of the people of Ibadan and Oyo State in general.
The Emir commiserated with Oba Olakulehin’s immediate and extended family members, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council, the government, and the people of Oyo State over the incident.
He prayed to the Almighty God to repose the monarch’s soul and give the people of the ancient city of Ibadan the fortitude to bear the significant loss.
Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village, Ita Baale near Akanran in the present-day Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Olakulehin rose through the unique and time-honoured succession system of Ibadanland, which alternates between the civil (Otun) and military (Balogun) lines.
He ascended the throne following the demise of Oba (Dr.) Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, on March 14, 2024.
A distinguished academic, the late monarch held a master’s degree in administration and economics and pursued doctoral studies.
He had a passion for research rooted in integrity and public accountability. He lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was known for rejecting praise-singing roles, favouring progressive and principle-driven scholarship.
