Former Oyo State Governor and respected traditional titleholder, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has been nominated as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The nomination was made official by the Olubadan Advisory Council the traditional kingmakers during a meeting on Monday at the Olubadan’s Palace, Oke Aremo, in Ibadan.
The announcement was made by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, who disclosed that he proposed Oba Ladoja’s nomination and that it was seconded by Oba Eddy Oyewole, the Ashipa of Ibadanland.
Oba Ajibola disclosed that all other members of the council present at the meeting endorsed the nomination without objection, thereby clearing the path for Oba Ladoja to assume the prestigious position, subject to the governor’s approval.
“This decision reflects the unity and adherence to the longstanding rotational ascension system of the Olubadan line,” said Oba Ajibola. “Oba Ladoja’s nomination is not just a formality; it is a confirmation of due process and respect for the cultural institutions of Ibadanland.”
The nomination now awaits the formal endorsement of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, whose constitutional authority is required to validate the appointment and initiate the coronation process. Governor Makinde is expected to give assent in the coming days, after which preparations for the coronation will commence.
Oba Rasheed Ladoja, who will turn 81 in September 2025, is one of the most prominent figures in Ibadan’s traditional hierarchy. A politician, businessman, and elder statesman, he served as Governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2007 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.
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His ascendancy to the throne has long been anticipated given the Olubadan succession structure, which follows a clearly defined, seniority-based rotation between two lines: the civil line and the military line.
The death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, on July 7, 2025, triggered the traditional process of selecting a new monarch. In line with the rotation system, Oba Ladoja, as the Ọtun Olubadan and next in line, emerged the rightful heir.
Ladoja’s journey to the throne spans decades of gradual rise through the traditional ranks of Ibadan chieftaincy. His case is also particularly notable because of his high-profile political career, a rare combination in Yoruba traditional leadership.
Oba Ladoja is currently in Lagos but is expected to return to Ibadan shortly to complete traditional rites in preparation for the coronation.
The Olubadan stool is one of the most revered in Yorubaland and carries enormous traditional, spiritual, and symbolic significance not only for the people of Ibadan but for the entire Yoruba nation.
The Olubadan serves as both a cultural custodian and a unifying father figure to over three million people across the sprawling Ibadan metropolis and beyond.
If the governor gives the go-ahead, Oba Ladoja will become the 44th Olubadan, continuing a lineage that stretches back centuries.
