Oba Owolabi Olakulehin: All To Know About Next Olubadan

On Thursday night, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, announced the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, he disclosed that the 42nd Olubadan passed away at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo.

Makinde described him as a towering figure akin to an Iroko tree who made significant impact on affairs of Ibadan during his two-year reign.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presenting the staff of office to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, in March 2022

The late monarch will be buried according to Islamic rights on Friday at 4 pm.

THE NEXT OLUBADAN

Ibadan is widely known for its smooth ascension process. The Olubadan is rotated between two lines; the Civil (Egbe Agba) and Military (Balogun) lines.

The immediate past Olubadan, Oba Balogun, was of the Civil line, which means that his successor will come from the Military Line.

Hence, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who heads the Military line, is the next in line to the throne.

He will be crowned as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland subject to the approval of the state governor.

Oba Olakulehin hails from Ita Baale in Ibadan North East Local Government.

He is 84 years of age, three years older than his predecessor, and comes from the Okugbaja family in the Ita Baale area.

The next Olubadan also has a military background, having served in the Nigerian Army.

In 1992, during the 3rd Republic under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), he ran for and won a seat in the Federal House of Representatives.

It is expected that palace drummers will move from Alli-Iwo to the Ita Baale, the Palace of Ọba Olakulehin, heralding his symbolic ascension to the throne.