Oba Rashidi Ladoja has emerged as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, following his nomination, though in absentia, by the Olubadan-in-Council, on Monday.
Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and former federal lawmaker, was nominated by the Olubadan-in-Council at its meeting held at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan on Monday.
This would be the first time that such meeting would be held at the multi-million naira palace as previous Olubadan of Ibadanland were nominated at the old Palace at Oja’ba in Ibadan South East local Government Area.
How Ladoja Emerged As Olubadan
Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola nominated Oba Ladoja for the vacant stool following the demise, on 7June, 2025, of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and was seconded by Oba Eddy Oyewole who has been elevated to the rank of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Oba Ladoja was subsequently and unanimously nominated as the 44th Olubadan by all the beaded crown-wearing high chiefs who were in attendance.
After the resolution, Oba Ajibola said Oba Ladoja’s name will be forwarded to the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, for the final approval, in accordance with the 1957 Chieftancy Declaration, as amended.
Oba Ajibola said: ‘When one king transited, another one is enthroned. It is in line with the tradition of Ibadanland that we are holding this meeting today.
“It is on this premise that I, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Balogun of Ibadanland, nominated Oba Abdulrashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“His nomination was seconded by Oba Eddy Oyewole, the new Otun Olubadan, the position that was previously held by Oba Ladoja before his nomination as the Olubadan-designate.
“The resolution of our meeting will be forwarded to the Executive governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde.”
The resolution of the meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council was greeted with loud ovation as the stakeholders described the outcome of the meeting as a welcome development.
“The Olubadan Stool cannot remain vacant for long. That is why we are glad with the decision of the members of the Olubadan-in-Council.
“We are hopeful that the governor will not delay in asserting to the decision of the Council,” one of stakeholders said.
Journey of the Olubadan-designate to the throne
The Olubadan-designate was born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ibadan.
He had his secondary education at the Ibadan Boys High School, Oke-Bola, Ibadan and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. He obtained a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Liège, Belgium.
Upon returning to Nigeria, he started his career at Total before delving into business and politics.
Ladoja first took office as governor of Oyo State on 29 May 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serving until his controversial impeachment in January 2006.
He was later reinstated by a Supreme Court ruling in December 2006 and eventually completed his term in May 2007.
Since then, he has remained an active political figure, contesting elections on the platform of various parties before joining the Zenith Labour Party in 2018.
Ladoja, a consistent traditional title holder
In August 2024, Ladoja embraced his role as Otun Olubadan by accepting the ceremonial beaded crown, a requirement for ascending to the Olubadan title under the revised chieftaincy declaration.
He stated on a private radio station in Ibadan then: “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. My blood pressure has been stable; anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan.”
The updated chieftaincy law mandated that only beaded crown obas are eligible for the throne, a change some perceived as politically-motivated by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The state government, however, insisted that the amendment aligned with recommendations from the late Oba Balogun’s review committee, framing it as a necessary cultural reform.
Succession in the Ibadan traditional Council has been on rotational bases, alternating between the Civil (Baale/Otun) and the Military (Balogun) lines for more than 170 years.
