President Tinubu Mourns Olubadan Olakulehin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing the late monarch as a beacon of peace, wisdom, and public service.

Oba Olakulehin, who passed away at the age of 90, was the spiritual and cultural leader of Ibadanland. He ascended the throne in March 2024 following the passing 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. He described 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,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that he had recently been invited to the monarch’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary, which was sadly cut short by his sudden death.

“Shockingly, his death came days before the anniversary. He will be remembered for upholding the honour and prestige of his highly revered stool,” Tinubu stated.

Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village near Akanran in the present-day Ibadan North East Local Government Area, Oba Olakulehin was an academic of high standing. He held a master’s degree in administration and economics, pursued doctoral studies, and served as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Known for his intellectual discipline and principled nature, Oba Olakulehin rejected sycophancy and embraced progressive scholarship rooted in accountability and truth.

President Tinubu described him as a “highly accomplished man of peace” whose life reflected leadership, service, and learning. He said the monarch’s short reign was impactful and served as a bridge between tradition and modern governance.

The President also commended Oba Olakulehin for preserving Ibadan’s unique traditional succession system, which alternates between the Otun (civil) and Balogun (military) lines, contributing to 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 remarked.

As tributes continue to pour in from across Nigeria, President Tinubu urged the people of Ibadan and Oyo State to find comfort in the enduring legacy left by the late monarch. He prayed for the peaceful repose of Oba Olakulehin’s soul and expressed hope that his life and values would inspire future generations.