Who will be the next Olubadan?

The succession system of Olubadan kingship makes it easy for the next traditional leader of the ancient city to emerge.

The immediate past Olubadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun died on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

The late monarch spent two years on the throne and died at the age of 81.

However, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been identified as the next in line to rule the third-largest city by population in Nigeria.

The succession structure of the Olubadan throne consists of two lines. The Otun line or Egbe Agba (civil line) and Balogun line (military line).

Although the throne is alternated between the two lineages, the succession arrangement dictates that whoever occupies the Olubadan seat must have passed through about 34 stages to emerge as a member of the Olubadan-in-Council.

While Olalekan, the late monarch, succeeded his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje-Ogunguniso, through the Otun line, Olakulehin, will ascend the throne through the Balogun line.

Following the death of Oba Olalekan, Olakulehin, the Balogun of Ibadan is expected to ascend the throne as the 43rd Olubadan.

Olakulehin is from Okugbaja family in Ita Baale area of Ibadan.

Palace drummers are also expected to move from Alli-Iwo, the compound of the late monarch, to the Ita Baale Palace of Ọba Olakulehin heralding his ascension to the throne.