Nearly a year after the historic coronation of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, preparations are underway for the ascension of the next monarch — High Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State.
Oba Olakulehin, who was crowned on July 12, 2024, passed away less than a year into his reign, marking a solemn chapter in the ancient city’s history. His coronation, held at the iconic Mapo Hall, was attended by top dignitaries including President Bola Tinubu, state governors, traditional rulers, and industry leaders. Governor Seyi Makinde had presented him with the staff of office, ushering in a new era in the ultramodern Olubadan palace on Oke-Aremo.
Historically, each reigning Olubadan operated from his private residence, but the newly commissioned palace has now become the official royal home.
Ibadan’s unique succession system alternates between two lines: Balogun (military) and Otun (civil). Oba Olakulehin emerged from the Balogun line, where he waited 38 years after becoming Jagun Balogun before reaching the throne. The next monarch, therefore, will emerge from the Otun line — where High Chief Ladoja currently ranks highest as Otun Olubadan.
Who is Rasheed Ladoja?
High Chief Ladoja, born on September 24, 1944, in the Gambari area of Ibadan, is a seasoned politician, industrialist, and traditional chief. His academic journey began at Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School before he proceeded to the University of Liège, Belgium, where he studied chemical engineering from 1966 to 1972.
Ladoja’s political career took shape in 1993 when he was elected a senator during the Third Republic. He later served as a director at Standard Trust Bank before becoming the governor of Oyo State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003.
However, his tenure was marred by political conflict with PDP strongman Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. This power tussle led to his impeachment in January 2006, a decision later overturned by the courts, allowing him to resume office in December 2006.
After losing the PDP ticket in 2007, Ladoja aligned with the Action Congress and later contested under the Accord Party in the 2011 and 2015 governorship elections, both unsuccessfully. He later moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), before stepping back from politics to focus on his traditional responsibilities.
On August 12, 2024, Ladoja accepted the ceremonial beaded crown from the late Olubadan — a symbolic moment after previously rejecting the crown during former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration.
With his emergence as the next Olubadan imminent, Ibadan prepares once again to celebrate the continuation of its rich monarchical tradition.
