Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin (born 5 July 1935) is a Nigerian monarch and the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan.
Early Life and Education
Owolabi Olakulehin was born on 5 July 1935 to Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi in Okugbaja village, Ita Baale, near Akanran, in present-day Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.
He began his primary school education at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran, later attending Islamic School, Odoiye, and ultimately finishing at St Peter Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan.
After completing primary school, Olakulehin briefly worked as a primary school teacher in Wakajaiye, Akobo area of Ibadan. He later gained admission to Yaba Technical Institute to study printing and artwork.
Career
In 1959, Olakulehin began his career at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan, as a third-class clerk. At the same time, he enrolled at Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained both his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Building.
In 1970, he joined the Nigerian Army through a Direct Short Service Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. He held several roles nationwide and rose to the rank of Major. His positions included Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos. He retired from military service on October 1, 1979.
Post-retirement, Olakulehin became an entrepreneur. He founded:
- FAKOL Nigeria Ltd – a construction contracting firm
- Olakulehin Press (later Solid Prints)
- FAKOL Bakery, all based in Ibadan
Like his predecessor, Olakulehin also entered politics. In 1992, he contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), representing Ibadan South East Constituency. He served as Chairman, House Committee on the Nigerian Army.
His path to the throne began in 1983 when he became Mogaji (head) of the Ige Olakulehin Family Compound at Ita-Baale Olugbode, Ibadan. He later rose to become the Balogun of Ibadanland, one of the two most senior chieftains. He was crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland on 12 July 2024.
Personal Life
Owolabi Olakulehin is a Christian. He is married and has children.
References
This entry is based on verified biographical and historical information. Further reading can be sourced from news archives, government gazettes, and traditional chieftaincy records from Oyo State.