Olubadan of Ibadan, 44th Coronation: Ladoja Takes the Throne, Pushes for Ibadan State
Olubadan of Ibadan, 44th Coronation: Ladoja Takes the Throne, Pushes for Ibadan State
Ibadan witnessed history on Friday, September 26, 2025, as Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland at the historic Mapo Hall. The ceremony, steeped in tradition, drew President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, top political figures, and revered traditional rulers from across Nigeria.
Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and respected statesman, took the throne following the passing of his predecessor, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, who died in July at the age of 90 after barely a year on the stool. His emergence followed Ibadan’s unique rotational succession system, where ascension alternates between the civil and military chieftaincy lines.
Shortly after receiving the staff and instrument of office from Governor Seyi Makinde, the new Olubadan delivered what would become the defining moment of the day. Switching into Yoruba, he directed an appeal straight at President Tinubu: “My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority.”
The call for Ibadan State has been a recurring agitation for decades, but Oba Ladoja’s public declaration at such a symbolic event gave the demand fresh urgency. In 2024, a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution and create both Ibadan State and Oyo State scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, with Oyo town proposed as the capital of the new Oyo State and Ibadan city as the capital of Ibadan State.
Governor Makinde, who had cut short his annual leave to attend the ceremony, described the installation as a proud moment for Ibadan. “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,” he said.
For the people of Ibadan, Oba Ladoja’s coronation was not just a cultural milestone but a political signal. With a monarch who once governed Oyo State now on the throne, expectations are high that he will bring both moral authority and political weight to long-standing demands.
The Olubadan’s reign, which began with a crown and a plea, has set the stage for what could become one of the most consequential periods in the history of Ibadanland. Whether the creation of Ibadan State materializes before 2027 will depend on the political will of Abuja, but one thing is certain, Ibadan has found a king willing to give voice to its deepest aspirations.
