Former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, is set to emerge as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland following the death of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Oba Olakulehin passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90, less than a year after his installation in July 2024 by Governor Seyi Makinde. He had succeeded Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died in March 2024 after a brief illness.
By tradition, the Olubadan stool rotates between the Egbe Agba (civil) and Balogun (military) lines. With Oba Olakulehin having come from the Balogun line, the next monarch is expected from the Egbe Agba line, where Ladoja currently stands as the most senior High Chief.
Ladoja, who governed Oyo State from 2003 to 2007 and earlier served as a senator, has risen through the traditional hierarchy over the years. In September 2024, he marked his 80th birthday, and the following month, he was crowned Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland — resolving a longstanding controversy over his acceptance of the chieftaincy title.
The coronation was performed by Oba Olakulehin at the Aafin Olubadan, Oke Aremo, in a ceremony attended by then-acting governor Bayo Lawal, who presented Ladoja with the staff and instruments of office alongside other dignitaries.
After receiving his beaded crown and adopting the title of Oba, Ladoja reaffirmed his commitment to the traditional institution, emphasising that the Olubadan remains the only paramount ruler in Ibadan while other Obas serve as advisers and subjects.
Addressing fears of discord over reforms to the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, he assured that all disputes had been resolved amicably and that he only accepted the crown after his concerns were addressed.
Ladoja stated, “We can do our things on our own in Ibadanland. Those thinking that Ibadan will burn are liars. Whenever there is an issue among us, you will see that things will change once we enter the room and come out, that’s all because we know what is right.
“Misunderstanding was the cause of what happened before because what we were asking before was that as a king, where is our domain?
“They have answered us that we were king in the Olubadan line because what the declaration tells us was that Otun can become king, Osi, Asipa, and Ekeerin, including all of us in the Olubadan line, can become king.
“The question I have been asking, where is our domain, has been answered. Only those that God destined can become the Olubadan. We have seen some who rose to the post of the Otun and Balogun but eventually didn’t become the Olubadan.
“Now that we have become the king, we have become the adviser and servant to Oba Olakulehin because he can send us to wherever he wants as our king. We only have one king in Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin is our king.”
