Olakulehin royal family announces burial date, funeral plans for late Olubadan
The Olakulehin Royal Family has officially announced the burial date and funeral arrangements for the late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90, following a brief illness at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to a statement released by Olasunmbo Olakulehin, the monarch’s eldest son, a state burial—sanctioned by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde—will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025. The burial proceedings will begin with a church service and interment at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, at 10:00 a.m.
Several commemorative activities, initially postponed due to a 21-day official mourning period, will now precede the funeral events.
The farewell programme will begin on Sunday, August 3, with the semi-final matches of the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup at the Bishop Philips Academy Stadium, Ibadan, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
On Monday, August 4, the preliminaries of the Olakulehin Table Tennis Tournament will take place at the Indoor Hall of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, August 5, will feature the football third-place match at 2:00 p.m., followed by the final match at 4:00 p.m., both at the Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan.
The finals of the Olakulehin Table Tennis Tournament will be held on Wednesday, August 6, concluding the set of sporting events that were originally planned to mark Oba Olakulehin’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary.
Ahead of the burial, the late monarch’s body will lie in state during an interfaith service at Mapo Hall on Thursday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Christian wake at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, at 3:00 p.m.
The funeral rites will conclude with a family thanksgiving service on Sunday, August 10, at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, at 10:00 a.m.
The royal family expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, members of the Olubadan-In-Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political figures, corporate bodies, Ibadan associations, residents, and the Nigerian public for their support and condolences during the mourning period.
