Rashidi Ladoja set to succeed late Olakulehin as Olubadan of Ibadanland

Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, is set to become the next Olubadan of Ibadanland following the death of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Oba Olakulehin, who ascended the throne in July 2024, passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90, just days after marking his birthday and less than a year after his coronation by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

By tradition, the Olubadan throne rotates between the two ruling lines in Ibadan: the Egbe Agba (civil line) and the Balogun (military line).

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With the late Oba Olakulehin emerging from the Balogun line, the next Olubadan is expected to come from the Egbe Agba line, where Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, holds the position of most senior High Chief.

Ladoja, a former senator and Oyo State governor between 2003 and 2007, has gradually progressed through the traditional hierarchy over the years.

In August 2024, he was formally crowned as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland by the late Oba Olakulehin in a ceremony attended by top government officials, including the then-acting Governor, Bayo Lawal.

The ceremony marked the resolution of long-standing controversies regarding Ladoja’s acceptance of the chieftaincy title, paving the way for his eventual rise to the revered Olubadan stool.

During the ceremony, Ladoja clarified that Ibadan operates with a unique traditional structure where all other crowned kings serve as advisers to the Olubadan, who remains the only paramount monarch of the city.

He dismissed fears of a crisis arising from the reforms to the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, affirming that internal disagreements among the Ibadan elite have been amicably resolved.

“We can settle our matters in Ibadanland,” Ladoja stated at the time. “Those expecting chaos in Ibadan are mistaken. Anytime we have differences, we resolve them behind closed doors, because we know what is right.”

Ladoja also explained that reforms made it clear that senior chiefs like Otun, Osi, Asipa, and Ekerin in the Olubadan line are entitled to kingship positions within the traditional hierarchy, but only those destined by fate ascend the Olubadan throne.

Having accepted his beaded crown, Ladoja pledged loyalty to the then-Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, emphasising his role as both an adviser and servant to the paramount ruler.

With the recent passing of Oba Olakulehin, all eyes are now on the Egbe Agba line, with expectations high that Senator Ladoja will ascend the ancient throne as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.