Ibadan Mourns Again: Three Olubadans Die Within Just Over Three Years
Ibadan, Nigeria – In an unprecedented stretch of royal transitions, the ancient city of Ibadan has lost three successive Olubadans in a little over three years, marking a solemn period in the city’s storied history.
This string of departures began in January 2022 and has now culminated with the passing of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin in July 2025, each monarch’s exit triggering deep reflection on Ibadan’s unique but demanding traditional succession system.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Rashidi Ladoja Poised to Become 44th Olubadan After Oba Olakulehin’s Passing
🕊️ Oba Saliu Adetunji (Ogunguniso I) – 41st Olubadan
The first in this series of transitions, Oba Saliu Adetunji, passed away on January 2, 2022, at age 93. Crowned in March 2016, his reign was marked by his cultural influence and grassroots appeal, having once been a notable music promoter before ascending the throne. His death signaled the beginning of a rapid royal turnover unseen in recent times.
🕊️ Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun – 42nd Olubadan
He was succeeded by Oba Moshood Balogun, who brought to the throne a wealth of experience as an academic, politician, and businessman. Installed in March 2022, his reign lasted just two years before his passing on March 14, 2024, at the age of 81—just days after celebrating his second coronation anniversary.
🕊️ Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin – 43rd Olubadan
The latest monarch, Oba Olakulehin, took the mantle in July 2024, at the age of 89. A respected traditional leader with a military chieftaincy background, he died peacefully on July 7, 2025, two days after marking his 90th birthday and first anniversary as king. His brief but respected reign came during a time of great cultural continuity in Ibadan.
👑 A Time of Rare Transition and Reflection
With three Olubadans gone in just over 41 months, Ibadan is experiencing a rare moment in its royal history—one that underscores both the strengths and limits of its time-tested succession system.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Passes Away at 90
Unlike many Yoruba monarchies that rely on hereditary claims, the Olubadan stool follows a rotational ascension structure, alternating between two lines: the Otun (civil) and the Balogun (military). Chiefs rise through a well-defined hierarchy, making the process largely free of disputes but one that also places older candidates closer to the throne.
⏳ What Comes Next: 44th Olubadan on the Horizon
The Olubadan-in-Council is expected to convene in the coming days to begin the formal selection of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The most senior chief in the appropriate line—currently believed to be former Oyo State Governor, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja—is widely expected to ascend, pending council and government approval.
Ladoja’s expected coronation would mark a historic milestone as the first former state governor to become Olubadan, a symbol of tradition merging with modern leadership.
💬 A City Between Mourning and Legacy
As Ibadan prepares once again to honour a departed monarch and welcome another, its people are reminded of the city’s resilience. Despite the frequency of royal losses, the enduring chieftaincy structure has remained intact, ensuring that continuity is never broken.
Each of the three late kings—Adetunji, Balogun, and Olakulehin—brought unique identities to the throne. From grassroots engagement to intellectual leadership and deep traditional roots, they shaped the legacy of Ibadan in their own way.
And now, as the city turns to the next chapter, it does so with reverence, hope, and the quiet strength that has kept its royal traditions alive for generations.