Popular Ibadan high chief, veteran journalist, author and public relations practitioner, Oloye AbdulRasheed Olalekan Alabi, is said to have died on Saturday morning.
News of the death of the respected traditional chief and cultural advocate filtered into Ibadan on Saturday, sending shock waves across the city’s traditional, media and social circles.
Alabi, who was 75, was said to have passed away in the early hours of Saturday.
Alabi, who was 75, was said to have passed away in the early hours of Saturday.
However, as of the time of filing this report, details surrounding his death could not be independently established. The cause of death was also not immediately known.
Born on October 27, 1950, in Ibadan, Alabi was one of the city’s prominent voices on history, culture, traditional institutions and public affairs.
Born on October 27, 1950, in Ibadan, Alabi was one of the city’s prominent voices on history, culture, traditional institutions and public affairs.
He was born to Pa AbdulRaheem Oladosu Alabi, popularly known as “Right Time”, and Mrs Mopelola Alabi.
His early education began at the Seventh-Day Adventist Primary School, Oke-Foko, Ibadan, before he proceeded to African Church Grammar School, Apata Ganga, Ibadan.
Long before his emergence as a respected high chief, Alabi had established himself as a journalist and communications professional.
His early education began at the Seventh-Day Adventist Primary School, Oke-Foko, Ibadan, before he proceeded to African Church Grammar School, Apata Ganga, Ibadan.
Long before his emergence as a respected high chief, Alabi had established himself as a journalist and communications professional.
He began his working life as a teacher before joining Onibonoje Press Limited, Ibadan, as its pioneer Editorial Assistant.
In 1973, he moved to Sketch Publishing Company Limited, where he worked as a reporter, writer and reader. His versatility in journalism soon earned him recognition, with his career taking him into newspaper production, broadcasting and public communication.
Alabi travelled to Britain in 1976 to study at the College of Journalism in Fleet Street, London. He returned to Nigeria and later joined the Nigerian Television Authority, Ibadan, in 1978.
His career took another major turn in 1982 when he joined the pioneering editorial team of the Television Service of Oyo State, now Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State Television.
In 1983, he became Press Secretary in charge of television matters to the then Governor of old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige. He subsequently served three military governors of the state — Major-General Oladayo Popoola, Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin and Brigadier-General Sasaenia Oresanya.
Alabi later moved into the corporate world, joining Odu’a Investment Company Limited in 1989 as its pioneer Public Affairs Manager. He spent 17 years with the conglomerate and retired voluntarily in 2006 as its pioneer General Manager, Corporate Affairs.
His second career in public life was closely intertwined with Ibadan’s traditional institution.
Alabi rose through the ranks of the Olubadan traditional system and became one of its most recognisable senior chiefs. His deep knowledge of Ibadan history, genealogy and chieftaincy affairs made him a regular voice on issues concerning the ancient city and its traditional heritage.
In May 2016, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, promoted him from Aare Alaasa Olubadan to Agba-Akin Olubadan.
The elevation carried particular significance for Alabi because of his family’s historic connection with the title and Ibadan traditional institution.
His ancestral lineage had produced notable chiefs who occupied important positions in the ancient Ibadan chieftaincy system.
Alabi travelled to Britain in 1976 to study at the College of Journalism in Fleet Street, London. He returned to Nigeria and later joined the Nigerian Television Authority, Ibadan, in 1978.
His career took another major turn in 1982 when he joined the pioneering editorial team of the Television Service of Oyo State, now Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State Television.
In 1983, he became Press Secretary in charge of television matters to the then Governor of old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige. He subsequently served three military governors of the state — Major-General Oladayo Popoola, Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin and Brigadier-General Sasaenia Oresanya.
Alabi later moved into the corporate world, joining Odu’a Investment Company Limited in 1989 as its pioneer Public Affairs Manager. He spent 17 years with the conglomerate and retired voluntarily in 2006 as its pioneer General Manager, Corporate Affairs.
His second career in public life was closely intertwined with Ibadan’s traditional institution.
Alabi rose through the ranks of the Olubadan traditional system and became one of its most recognisable senior chiefs. His deep knowledge of Ibadan history, genealogy and chieftaincy affairs made him a regular voice on issues concerning the ancient city and its traditional heritage.
In May 2016, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, promoted him from Aare Alaasa Olubadan to Agba-Akin Olubadan.
The elevation carried particular significance for Alabi because of his family’s historic connection with the title and Ibadan traditional institution.
His ancestral lineage had produced notable chiefs who occupied important positions in the ancient Ibadan chieftaincy system.
His great-grandfather, Sanni Ajengbe III, was associated with the Agba-Akin position during the reign of Olubadan Shittu Omo Aare Latoosa.
Under the administration of Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Alabi was further elevated within the Olubadan hierarchy. In November 2025, he became the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland.
His influence, however, extended far beyond the traditional council.
Alabi was a prolific writer and public commentator who devoted much of his later years to documenting Ibadan’s history and promoting Yoruba culture.
Under the administration of Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Alabi was further elevated within the Olubadan hierarchy. In November 2025, he became the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland.
His influence, however, extended far beyond the traditional council.
Alabi was a prolific writer and public commentator who devoted much of his later years to documenting Ibadan’s history and promoting Yoruba culture.
He authored books and wrote extensively on traditional institutions, history, politics and public affairs.
He was also a cultural ambassador of the National Museum and Monuments in Ile-Ife and was recognised for his contribution to the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
In 2012, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Achievers University, Owo, in recognition of his contributions and achievements.
President Bola Tinubu had, in October 2025, celebrated Alabi on the occasion of his 75th birthday, describing him as a veteran journalist and public relations guru.
Tinubu also acknowledged his service as Chief Press Secretary to four governors of old Oyo State and his distinguished career at Odu’a Investment Company Limited.
Only months after that celebration, news of his reported death has plunged Ibadan into mourning.
For decades, Alabi occupied a rare space at the intersection of journalism, government, corporate communications and traditional leadership. He was not only a chief but also a chronicler of Ibadan’s history and an active participant in the preservation of its cultural identity.
His reported passing therefore marks the possible end of an era for one of Ibadan’s most recognisable contemporary traditional figures.
As tributes begin to emerge, attention is expected to turn to his family and the traditional authorities for an official confirmation of the death and details of his final moments.
He was also a cultural ambassador of the National Museum and Monuments in Ile-Ife and was recognised for his contribution to the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
In 2012, he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Achievers University, Owo, in recognition of his contributions and achievements.
President Bola Tinubu had, in October 2025, celebrated Alabi on the occasion of his 75th birthday, describing him as a veteran journalist and public relations guru.
Tinubu also acknowledged his service as Chief Press Secretary to four governors of old Oyo State and his distinguished career at Odu’a Investment Company Limited.
Only months after that celebration, news of his reported death has plunged Ibadan into mourning.
For decades, Alabi occupied a rare space at the intersection of journalism, government, corporate communications and traditional leadership. He was not only a chief but also a chronicler of Ibadan’s history and an active participant in the preservation of its cultural identity.
His reported passing therefore marks the possible end of an era for one of Ibadan’s most recognisable contemporary traditional figures.
As tributes begin to emerge, attention is expected to turn to his family and the traditional authorities for an official confirmation of the death and details of his final moments.
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