How 10 Olubadans Ruled for Less Than Five Years Before Joining Their Ancestors

How the Olubadan stool, despite its prestige and reverence, has witnessed a recurring pattern of short reigns is a striking part of Ibadan’s history. As the ancient city mourns the passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died barely a year after ascending the throne, attention has once again turned to the brief reigns of some of his predecessors.

Though the Olubadan succession system is praised for its structure and predictability, age often catches up with most contenders by the time they reach the throne — a reality that has made many reigns historically short-lived.

Here’s how 10 Olubadans ruled for less than five years before joining their ancestors:

1. Oba Akere I (1946) – Reigned for less than a year. His time on the throne was brief and transitional.

2. Oba Oyetunde I (1946) – Also ruled for less than a year, ascending shortly after Oba Akere and dying the same year.

3. Oba Akintunde Bioku (1947–1948) – Spent just one year as Olubadan before his passing.

4. Oba Fijabi II (1948–1952) – Ruled for four years; his tenure, though longer than his immediate predecessors, still fell under the five-year threshold.

5. Oba Alli Iwo (1952) – His reign lasted less than a year, further continuing the trend of short-lived monarchs.

6. Oba Apete (1952–1955) – Ruled for three years during a time of great political and social change in Nigeria.

7. Oba Yesufu Kobiowu (1964) – Ascended in July 1964 and passed away before the year ended, serving for just a few months.

8. Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe (1976–1977) – Spent one year on the throne and is remembered for his efforts to modernize aspects of Ibadan’s traditional leadership.

9. Oba Lekan Balogun (2022–2024) – The immediate predecessor of Oba Olakulehin, he ruled for two years before his demise in March 2024.

10. Oba Owolabi Olakulehin (2024–2025) – Reigned for only one year, passing away on July 7, 2025, just two days after his 90th birthday and one week before his first coronation anniversary.

This pattern underscores the nature of Ibadan’s unique succession structure — one that allows for merit-based elevation through the civil and military lines but often results in elderly monarchs taking the throne.

While the system guarantees a peaceful transition of power, the advanced age of incoming monarchs frequently shortens their reign, making longevity on the Olubadan stool a rare feat in Ibadan’s history.