By Omooba Ismail Olayiwola Bello Ozugha
*Photo: Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II*
As His Royal Majesty, Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode-Olofin, Olota of Ota, clocks 60 on August 28, 2026, the occasion offers more than an opportunity to celebrate a birthday. It is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey of a prince who became a scholar, journalist, teacher and, ultimately, the traditional ruler of one of the historic kingdoms in Yorubaland.
Born on August 28, 1966, in Mushin, Lagos State, Oba Obalanlege is the son of Prince Taiwo Hassan Obalanlege of Ijemo Compound, Ota, and Mrs. Mutiat Afolake Obalanlege of Isoloshi Compound, Ota. His background placed him within the royal heritage of Ota, but his early life was shaped as much by education, hard work and exposure to ordinary life as by his royal ancestry.
His educational journey took him from schools in Lagos and Ota to higher institutions in Nigeria and abroad. He obtained an HND in Mass Communication from Ogun State Polytechnic and subsequently pursued further studies in journalism, mass communication and related fields in the United Kingdom and Europe. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Leicester and a PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
Long before he ascended the throne, Oba Obalanlege had established himself as a communications professional and academic. He worked as a journalist and was associated with ThisDay newspaper, while also serving in academic and teaching positions. His career took him beyond Nigeria, including lecturing engagements in the United Kingdom. He later returned to Nigeria and continued his academic career, teaching at institutions including Ogun State Polytechnic, Lagos State University and Crescent University.
This unusual combination of journalism, scholarship and public engagement has remained one of the defining characteristics of the Olota. His emergence as monarch was therefore not simply the story of a prince succeeding to a traditional stool; it was the transformation of an accomplished intellectual into a custodian of history, culture and community aspirations.
In 2017, Prince Adeyemi Obalanlege emerged Olota-elect after a selection process involving 22 contestants from the ruling house. His emergence was described as unanimous among the surviving kingmakers. He was subsequently installed as Olota in 2018.
A SCHOLAR ON THE THRONE
The presence of a professor on the traditional throne has given the Olota’s reign a distinctive character. Oba Obalanlege has consistently demonstrated an interest in education, intellectual development and the preservation of knowledge.
His scholarly background has also influenced his approach to leadership. In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of education, cultural preservation, tourism and the need for traditional institutions to play meaningful roles in society. He has argued for greater recognition of the place of traditional rulers in governance and development.
For him, the traditional institution is not merely about ceremonies and titles. It is also an avenue for community mobilisation, conflict resolution, cultural preservation and development.
A REIGN FOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENT
Since ascending the throne, the Olota has repeatedly advocated development partnerships involving government, businesses, traditional institutions and residents of Ota.
Ota’s position as a major industrial and commercial centre has made the relationship between the traditional institution and the corporate community particularly important. In July 2026, the monarch commended companies operating in Ota for their corporate social responsibility initiatives and noted the importance of collaboration between businesses and government in addressing infrastructural needs in the town.
His 60th birthday celebrations have therefore come at a time when the monarch is also drawing attention to the future of his kingdom, particularly the need to create opportunities for younger generations.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
One of the notable aspects of the monarch’s activities ahead of his 60th birthday has been his emphasis on youth empowerment. According to reports, the palace has supported scholarships, vocational training and skill-acquisition initiatives for young people, while artisans have received equipment to enable them to establish or expand their businesses.
The palace has also been working with institutions and partners on initiatives intended to broaden economic opportunities for youths in Ota. Among the projects discussed is collaboration with Covenant University toward establishing a mobile-phone assembly plant within a skill-acquisition centre.
Such initiatives reflect a broader understanding of traditional leadership—one in which the prosperity of the kingdom is measured not only by the splendour of the palace but also by the opportunities available to its people.
GUARDIAN OF OTA’S HERITAGE
Ota occupies an important place in the history of the Awori people and Yorubaland. As Olota, Oba Obalanlege has repeatedly spoken about the historical significance of the kingdom and the need to preserve its cultural heritage.
His leadership has consequently combined the responsibilities of a traditional ruler with those of a cultural ambassador. He has advocated the use of culture and tourism as instruments of economic development, arguing that Nigeria must do more to harness its enormous cultural and tourism potential.
His intellectual orientation has also made him a strong advocate of documenting history and presenting Nigeria’s cultural heritage to wider audiences.
A LIFE OF SERVICE
At 60, the story of Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege is ultimately a story of service.
From the streets of Mushin to the classrooms of higher institutions, from journalism to international academia, and from the lecture room to the palace, his journey has traversed several worlds. Yet, at every stage, education, communication, culture and service have remained recurring themes.
His childhood experiences also appear to have influenced his understanding of society. In an earlier interview, he recalled growing up in Mushin and helping his mother, who was a teacher, with her shop. Such experiences exposed him to people from different backgrounds and gave him an appreciation of the diverse realities of everyday life.
Today, as he marks his Diamond Jubilee, the Olota stands at an interesting intersection of tradition and modernity: a professor wearing the crown, a scholar serving as a traditional father, and a monarch seeking to connect the heritage of the past with the aspirations of the future.
SIXTY YEARS, AND A NEW CHAPTER
The 60th birthday of Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege is therefore not merely a celebration of age. It is a celebration of achievement, resilience, intellectual accomplishment and public service.
For the people of Ota, it is an occasion to honour their traditional ruler. For the academic community, it is an opportunity to celebrate a scholar who brought his intellectual experience to the service of traditional leadership. For the wider Yoruba community, it is a moment to recognise a custodian of culture and history.
As dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, academics, business leaders and sons and daughters of Ota gather to celebrate him, the central message is clear: 60 years is not the end of the journey; it is another milestone in a life devoted to knowledge, leadership and service.
At 60, the Olota of Ota can look back with satisfaction on a journey that has taken him from prince to professor and from professor to king. But perhaps the more important question is what the next chapter will bring.
For a monarch whose life has been defined by learning and service, the answer may well be found in the continued development of Ota, the empowerment of its young people and the preservation of the rich heritage entrusted to his care.
Happy 60th birthday to His Royal Majesty, Oba Professor , Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode-Adeyemi Abdulkabir ObalanlegeOlofin, Olota of Ota. May the years ahead bring greater wisdom, good health, peace and enduring accomplishments to his reign and to the people of Ota.