Royal Family Announces August 8 Funeral Rites for Late Olubadan of Ibadan

The Olakulehin Royal Family has officially released the funeral schedule for the late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on July 7, 2025, at age 90 after a brief illness in Ibadan.

According to a statement by the monarch’s first son, Olasunmbo Olakulehin, the late Olubadan will be accorded a state burial on Friday, August 8, 2025, as approved by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The funeral service and interment will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, from 10 a.m.

Leading up to the burial are a series of events rescheduled in observance of the monarch’s 21-day official mourning period.

The funeral activities will begin on Sunday, August 3, with the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup semi-finals at Bishop Philips Academy Stadium, Ibadan, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

On Monday, August 4, the Olakulehin Table Tennis Tournament preliminaries will be held at the Indoor Hall of Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, by 10 a.m.

The third-place football match and final of the Olubadan Cup will take place on Tuesday, August 5, at the Olubadan Stadium by 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively.

On Wednesday, August 6, the Table Tennis Tournament finals will conclude the sporting events, which were initially planned to mark Oba Olakulehin’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary.

On Thursday, August 7, the late monarch will lie in state during an interfaith service at Mapo Hall at 10 a.m., followed by a Christian wake at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, at 3 p.m.

The farewell ceremonies will conclude with a family thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 10 a.m.