On Wednesday, former state governor Oba Rashidi Ladoja was nominated as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The coronation ceremony was scheduled on Friday, September 26, 2025, one day after Ladoja’s 81st birthday. Makinde made this announcement while visiting the Olubadan designate at his Bodija home in Ibadan.
Following his predecessor Oba Owolabi Olakulehin’s death on July 7, Ladoja became the Olubadan designate and returned to Ibadan on Monday.
Ladoja claimed that his announcement on Monday that he would be meeting with Araba, Oluwo, and the governor to expedite his installation process was merely a coincidence.
In the sense that he was born in 1944 and would be crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, he claimed it was coincidental.
The governor took use of the event to name Bayo Oyero, the former chairman of the Ibadan Indigene Central Council, as the chairman of the coronation committee.
The list of additional committee members had not yet been released to the public as of the time of publication.
In the meantime, Ladoja has received congratulations from Debo Ogundoyin, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, on being formally confirmed and approved as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Under his leadership, the old city would enjoy a new era of peace, wisdom, and advancement. He called the elevation of Ladoja a significant development that combines royalty, expertise, and statesmanship.
The speaker also praised Makinde for maintaining the beloved custom of the Ibadan chieftaincy system and for promptly approving the nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council, according to a statement released by his media office.
“Congratulations to Ladoja on his accession to the coveted throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Ogundoyin stated. May Ibadanland and all of Oyo State experience lasting unity, prosperity, and a return to greatness under your rule.
“Ladoja’s emergence as the 44th Olubadan is a celebration of the distinctiveness of the Ibadan traditional system as well as a moment of unification for the people of Ibadan.”
“I am sure that Ibadan will thrive under our esteemed monarch’s sage and seasoned leadership, and I extend my sincere congratulations on this well-earned promotion.”
He also praised the traditional succession process in Ibadan, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most orderly, peaceful, and reliable frameworks for royal transition.
“The smooth and dignified emergence of a new Olubadan is a powerful testament to the Ibadan traditional institution’s strength and dignity.” “It is a model that should be emulated nationwide,” the speaker said.
As a result, he urged all Ibadan natives and citizens to actively participate in the upcoming coronation event and show their support for the new monarch.
