The Ige Olakulehin family in Ibadan on Monday announced the passing on of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dr Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin Ige Olakulehin 1.
Announcing the demise of Oba Olakulehin on behalf of the Olakulehin family, former Oyo state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon Toye Arulogun said, the monarch joined his ancestors in the early hours of Monday, 7th July 2025.
“With utmost and profound gratitude to Almighty God, on behalf of the Ige Olakulehin family, I announce the passing on of H.I.M Oba (Dr) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin. Kaabiyesi joined his ancestors in the early hours of today.
“We are not mourning the passage of the monarch but celebrating his life. He lived an impactful life throughout his 90 year life journey,” he stated.
The passing of the Ibadan paramount ruler however, ignited wild jubilation at the Ondo Street, Bodijja residence of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as prominent Ibadan indigenes stormed his house to celebrate him as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Blueprint gathered that, as early as 8am Monday, the residence of Oba Ladoja became a centre of attraction as traditional drummers from various parts of the Ibadan shifted their base to the place with families of the Otun Olubadan singing and dancing as their kinsman is expected to becoming the 44th Olubadan in the next few weeks.
Going by the Ibadan tradition, there are two lines to the succession of an Olubadan, the Balogun (Warrior) line, which produced the late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and the Otun line, with Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the most senior in line.
With the succession system, the Otun line has Oba Ladoja as the most senior and it is now to produce the next Olubadan after the demise of Oba Olakulehin.
As at 11.am, prominent family heads (Mogajis) from across Ibadanland as well as prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan were sighted at Oba Ladoja’s residence despite the fact that the next Olubadan is said to be outside the country.
A source close to Oba Ladoja said going by tradition, there is the need for the families of the next Olubadan to join in the mourning of the late Olubadan at least for the next few weeks for the Ibadan kingmakers to announce the next Olubadan and for the state government to give approval.
The source stressed that as at the time of sending this report, Oba Rashidi Ladoja is being expected back in the country to participate in the traditional rites for the late Olubadan.
The late Olubadan celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, 4th July 2025. Activities marking his first coronation anniversary which is due on Saturday 12th July had already kicked off with donations to charity homes and hospitals, conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles and the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup which reached the semi final stage, Monday.