In a colourful ceremony steeped in Yoruba tradition, former Oyo State Governor, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has ascended the throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The coronation journey began at the Labosinde Compound in Oja’ba, the cradle of Ibadan chieftaincy customs, where Ladoja received the Akoko leaf — a sacred emblem symbolizing longevity, authority, and continuity. From there, he proceeded to the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government, a revered site for spiritual rites, where ancestral blessings were invoked to guide his reign. The final stage of the installation will be held at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan’s century-old civic centre that has hosted coronations and major cultural events for generations. It is here that Governor Seyi Makinde will formally present the staff and instrument of office, marking the fusion of traditional authority and modern governance.
Governor Makinde, who had been on official leave since August 29, cut his vacation short to personally attend the epoch-making occasion. In a letter read at the Oyo State House of Assembly by Deputy Speaker Muhammad Abiodun Fadeyi, the governor described the Olubadan’s installation as a matter of profound cultural importance.
“I shall resume duty tomorrow, 26th September 2025, and hereby assume the full functions of the office of Governor of Oyo State,” he wrote, while appreciating Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal for effectively holding the fort.
The new monarch’s path to the throne reflects the unique Ibadan succession system, widely regarded as one of the most orderly and peaceful in Nigeria. Rather than being contested, the Olubadan stool is attained through strict seniority in two alternating chieftaincy lines: the Egbe Agba (civil line) and the Balogun (military line). Every chief advances step by step until it becomes his turn to ascend the throne, ensuring fairness, continuity, and dignity in the process.
For Oba Ladoja, the journey began when he was installed as Mogaji, or family head, of the Ladoja compound in Ibadan. From there, he rose patiently through the ranks of the Egbe Agba line, eventually becoming Otun Olubadan, the traditional next-in-line to the throne. His steady rise was accompanied by a distinguished public career, most notably as Governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2007, where he earned a reputation for simplicity, grassroots connection, and respect for Ibadan’s cultural heritage.
Now, with his coronation as the 44th Olubadan, Ibadanland has not only welcomed a new monarch but also reaffirmed its centuries-old tradition of fairness, discipline, and respect for order. Oba Ladoja’s ascension stands as both a continuation of Ibadan’s enduring heritage and a renewal of its cultural identity in the heart of Yorubaland.
