Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially approved the appointment of Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The announcement was made by the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, in a statement yesterday.

Governor Makinde’s approval was documented in a memo signed on Friday, June 14. Prior to this, the kingmakers had certified Olakulehin as the Olubadan-designate.

Olayiwola explained, “This was in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended. The approval was a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones.”

The commissioner added that the governor congratulated the new Olubadan and prayed that his tenure would bring about greater development in Ibadan and Oyo State.

The stool of Olubadan became vacant on March 14, 2024, following the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and passed away at the age of 81.