President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing the revered monarch as a beacon of peace, wisdom, and public service.
Oba Olakulehin, who died at the age of 90, was until his death the spiritual and cultural head of Ibadanland, a position he ascended to in March 2024 following the demise of his predecessor, Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II.
In a condolence message issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his sympathies to the royal family, the government and people of Oyo State, and the wider Yoruba nation, describing the late monarch as “a symbol of peace, wisdom, and continuity.”
“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,” President Tinubu said.
The President said he had recently received an invitation to the monarch’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary celebration, which was tragically cut short by his sudden demise.
“Shockingly, his death came days before the anniversary. He will be remembered for upholding the honour and prestige of his highly revered stool,” Tinubu remarked.
Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village near Akanran in the present-day Ibadan North East Local Government Area, Oba Olakulehin was a man of academic distinction.
A holder of a master’s degree in administration and economics, he pursued doctoral studies and was a respected scholar and lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He was widely known for his intellectual discipline, principled stance, and rejection of sycophancy, preferring progressive scholarship rooted in accountability and truth.
President Tinubu described the late Olubadan as a “highly accomplished man of peace” whose life exemplified the ideals of leadership, service, and learning.
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He added that Oba Olakulehin’s reign, though relatively short, was impactful and symbolised a bridge between tradition and modern governance.
The President further praised the monarch’s role in preserving the unique Ibadan traditional succession system, which alternates between the Otun (civil) and Balogun (military) lines — a hallmark of the city’s political stability and cultural identity.
“His wisdom and moral authority served as a stabilising force in Ibadanland and the wider Yoruba nation,” Tinubu said.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the nation, President Tinubu urged the people of Ibadan and Oyo State to find comfort in the enduring legacy left by the monarch.
He offered prayers for the peaceful repose of Oba Olakulehin’s soul and expressed confidence that his life and values will remain a guiding light for future generations.
