Owolabi Olakulehin

In 1959, Owolabi Olakulehin commenced his career at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan, entering as a third-class clerk. Simultaneously, he gained admission to the Yaba College of Technology to pursue his higher studies where he eventually obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.^[6]

In 1970, through a Direct Short Service Commission, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. He subsequently undertook diverse roles and assignments throughout the nation, steadily advancing to the rank of Major. During his tenure, he assumed various leadership positions, including that of Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos. He retired as a major on 1 October 1979.^[7]

After retiring from the army, Olakulehin ventured into entrepreneurial ventures, through FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a construction contracting firm, Olakulehin Press, (later rebranded as Solid Prints) and FAKOL Bakery in the city of Ibadan.^[8][9]

Like his predecessor, Owolabi Olakulehin was also a politician as he contested in 1992 and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to represent the Ibadan South East Constituency. While in the House, he served as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Nigerian Army.^[10][11]

His journey to becoming the Olubadan of Ibadanland began in 1983, when he emerged the Mogaji of his compound – the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, Ibadan, until he became the Balogun of Ibadanland (one of the two most senior chiefs in Ibadanland).

He was crowned on 12 July 2024, and he reigned until his death on 7 July 2025.^[12]

Owolabi Olakulehin was a Christian and he was married with children.^[13] He died on 7 July 2025, two days after his 90th birthday.^[14]