Meet 44th Olubadan Of Ibadanland, As Olubadan-In-Council Officially Nominates Rashidi Ladoja

Oba Rashidi Ladoja has been formally nominated as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland by the Olubadan-in-Council.

The nomination took place at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

At the meeting, which had in attendance all the beaded crown-wearing High Chiefs, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola’s nominated Oba Ladoja as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, was seconded by the new Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole.

All the council members, in their resolve, unanimously endorsed Ladoja as the new paramount ruler of Ibadanland.

The Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, who addressed journalists after the meeting, said, “When one king transits, another one is enthroned.

It is in line with the tradition of Ibadanland that we are holding this meeting today (Monday).

“It is on this premise that I, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Balogun of Ibadanland, nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“His nomination was seconded by the new Otun Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole. The position that was previously held by Oba Ladoja before he was nominated Olubadan designate.

“We (members of the Olubadan-In-Council) have all signed and nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“We will forward the resolutions of our meeting to our Governor, Seyi Makinde. He will now pick a date to present a staff of Office to the new Olubadan by the 1957 Chieftancy Declaration as amended.

“The late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will be buried this week. So, this week is not feasible.

“He (Makinde) may decide to pick three weeks, two weeks, or one week. The Olubadan stool cannot remain vacant for long; that is why we are glad with the decision of the Council members.

“We are hopeful that the governor will not delay in assenting to the decision of the Council.”

A Few Things About The Newly Nominated Olubadan:

• Ladoja was born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ibadan.
• His educational journey took him through Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School, culminating in a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Liège in Belgium.
• Upon returning to Nigeria, he started his career at Total before delving into business and politics.
• Ladoja first took office as the state governor in May 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, serving until his controversial impeachment in January 2006.
• He was later reinstated by a Supreme Court ruling in December 2006 and completed his term in May 2007. Since then, he has remained an active political figure, contesting elections with various parties before joining the Zenith Labour Party in 2018.
• 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, “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. My blood pressure has been stable; anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan.”

Meanwhile, recall that the nomination follows the completion of the 21-day mourning period for the late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died on July 7, 2025, after reigning for one year.

Olakulehin succeeded Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.