Ibadan agog as Ladoja crowned 44th Olubadan
Ibadan, Oyo State, was agog on Friday as business mogul, engineer, former governor and senator, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, ascended the throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan. Ladoja succeeds Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, who joined his ancestors on July 7, 2025. He died after reigning for a year. Ladoja ascended the throne 81 […]
Olubadan
Ibadan, Oyo State, was agog on Friday as business mogul, engineer, former governor and senator, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, ascended the throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan.
Ladoja succeeds Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, who joined his ancestors on July 7, 2025. He died after reigning for a year.
Ladoja ascended the throne 81 days after the demise of Oba Olakulehin.
The well-attended coronation and presentation of the staff of office took place at Mapo Hall, the colonial–style Ibadan city hall on top of Mapo Hill in the Oyo State capital.
Mapo Hall was commissioned by Captain Ross in 1929 during the colonial era.
Over the years, the hall has played host to major political and social events in the city, shaping the socio-political direction of Nigeria in general.
The hall, which has photos of past Olubadan (kings), hosts a mini museum, where the relics of the chains used to hold tax evaders in the colonial era are hung.
Mapo Hill, the site of the hall, is one of the oldest parts of Ibadan city, a high-density area occupied mainly by the indigenes of the town.
The star of the day, for whom many were gathered in the city, Ladoja, arrived at Mapo Hall, venue of the historic event wearing a white crown bestowed on him at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area.
Prior to that, he had received the traditional Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
The reign of 44th Olubadan begins
At exactly 3:06pm, Makinde presented the staff of office to Ladoja, officially sealing his emergence as the 44th Olubadan.
“In the exercise of the power conferred on me as the governor, I hereby present the staff of office to Oba, His Imperial Majesty, senator, governor, engineer, my Baba, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1st. This is confirmed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. I so present,” Makinde said.
Later in his remarks, Makinde said Ladoja’s emergence as the 44th Olubadan was a source of pride to the people of Ibadan.
He added that his emergence had laid the challenges associated with Ibadan traditional institutions to rest.
“It is a great honour to join in celebrating the coronation and presentation of the staff of office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The joy and excitement that fill Ibadan today remind us of the importance of upholding our cherished traditions.
“The succession process is now sacrosanct. We know everything about that succession, and so, no more dispute over the throne. We know who is next to the throne.
“It is my prayer that the reign of Oba Adewolu Ladoja will usher in lasting peace, unity and greater progress for Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole,” he said.
Weekend Trust reports that the coronation marked a continuation of Ibadan’s centuries-old succession tradition, a unique, well-structured and systematic process for ascension to the throne.
Unlike many other Yoruba monarchies where succession is typically hereditary, the Olubadan’s succession is governed by a well-defined chieftaincy ladder.
The Olubadan succession is based on two main ruling lines: the Balogun (military) and Otun (civil) lines.
The late Oba Olakulehin came from the military line, while Ladoja hailed from the Otun chieftaincy line.
Ladoja’s 32-year journey to the Olubadan throne began with him becoming a Mogaji, the head of the extended family compound. In the 1980s, he was installed as the Mogaji of the Ladoja family of Arusa Compound, Isale-Osi, Ibadan. Ladoja became Jagun Olubadan on October 1, 1993. He was installed by the famous Olubadan Asanike.
After his promotion to Jagun Olubadan, the very first rung on the Egbe Agba line, which marked his formal entry into the chieftaincy hierarchy, it became a gradual but steady climb up the ranks, with each title carrying greater responsibility within Ibadan’s traditional administration.
He climbed the 22 steps to reach the Olubadan throne.
We want Ibadan state, Olubadan begs Tinubu
The newly crowned 44th Olubadan called on President Bola Tinubu to grant the wish of his people by creating Ibadan as an independent state out of the current Oyo State. He made the appeal shortly after receiving the staff of office from Governor Seyi Makinde
The former governor told Tinubu to make Ibadan state a reality before 2027.
“My people sent me a message to Mr President. They said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority,” he said.
He told the president that only his approval was needed, saying Ibadan people have the support of the National Assembly.
The monarch promised to serve his people diligently and pursue job creation for youths, as well as urban renewal drive.
“There is nothing I am looking for again. What is left is to serve the people of Ibadan, Oyo State and the Yoruba race.
“I want to assure you that I will serve you at all times,” the Olubadan said.
Traders honour new Olubadan
Major markets across Ibadan were shut by traders in honour of the coronation of the 44th Olubadan.
Our correspondent who visited Dugbe, Agbeni and Orita Merin, Mapo markets observed that traders suspended commercial activities to honour the event.
Except those selling drinks to commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders around the markets, major economic activities were suspended.
It was also gathered that similar scenarios played out at Agodi Gate, Oje, Bere and Bodija markets.
Weekend Trust learnt that the development followed a directive by the Babaloja- General of Oyo State, Asiwaju Yekeen Abass, who said the closure would serve as a mark of respect for the new monarch.
He instructed all the markets across the 11 local government areas of Ibadanland, including those in the city centre and surrounding areas to suspend trading activities for the day.
He urged all the traders to attend the coronation ceremony at Mapo Hall, stressing the importance of showing support and reverence for the new traditional ruler.
He also extended birthday wishes to Oba Ladoja.
Our correspondent in Ibadan reports that the coronation witnessed massive turnout of Ibadan indigenes and residents, just as many people organised street parties to honour the monarch.
From Bodija to Ring Road, Mokola to Oja’ba and the surrounding axis, the city was agog with cultural displays, drumming and processions.
The ancient city also took a new look with colourful posters, banners and giant billboards of different unions and associations bearing the portrait of Oba Ladoja, resplendent in royal regalia, adorning major streets and roundabouts.
Hotels across Ibadan were fully booked, with visitors from all walks of life trooping in across the country and beyond.
The visual flood of banners and billboards adds to the festive atmosphere, turning the city into one grand canvas of celebration.
Tinubu to Nigerians: Your suffering is a result of painful surgery
In his remarks, Tinubu told Nigerians that the country’s economy is recovering from the crisis, and thanked them for their perseverance.
He described the economic hardship that followed some of his reforms as a pain from an economic surgery.
He said, “To many of you here present today, I am honoured and very proud to give you the cheering news that the economy has turned the corner; there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
“Your suffering is a pain of a painful surgery, but it is now returned to the moment of growth and prosperity that is awaiting us ahead. Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your endurance, and thank you for your understanding.”
Tinubu described Ladoja as one of the rare gems to ascend the throne of his forefathers as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Tinubu said: “It is a great honour for me to be here as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to witness your coronation, to witness history, all the things you have started, the deliberation, the expectation, the history that we will shape together for this country.”
Tinubu described Oba Ladoja’s ascension to the throne of his forefathers as a moment of history, and prayed that the new Olubadan would live long to be celebrated as one of the rare gems of history to the throne of your forefathers.
“It is a great honour and moment of history that you ascend the throne of your forebearers. It is my honour, my joy, my pleasure to wish you this day and many more days ahead, many more years of joy, and relevance in the institution of democracy, and obaship in Nigeria.
“I salute former governors like Donald Duke, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ibikunle Amosun, Mallam Shekarau and my friend, Rabiu Kwamkwaso.
“This moment is not for long but to give joy and prayers to the man of the moment, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja,” Tinubu said.
The president recalled the struggles both himself and Oba Ladoja had together, Oba Ladoja’s comeback story, resilience, reliability and the determination, all of which he described as unbreakable.
Roll call
This coronation attracted President Bola Tinubu, host governor, Seyi Makinde, and his counterparts, Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo), Demola Adeleke (Osun) and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.
Others are the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III;
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Adeoye; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale and the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; Elegushi of Ikate, Oba Saheed Ademola, among traditional rulers.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was represented by one of his Queens, Olori Ashley.
Also on ground were former governors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Oyo); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano); Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Donal Duke (Cross River).
The Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji and Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central); Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North in the House of Representatives, alongside other federal and state lawmakers, were present.