Explainer: The long road to Ibadan’s prestigious Olubadan throne

 

 

As Ibadan celebrated the coronation of Oba Abdulrashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, attention turned once again to the unique and structured process of ascending to the city’s revered throne.

 

The historic event, held at Mapo Hall, was attended by President Bola Tinubu; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun; Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo; Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti; Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Zacch Adedeji; 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party Rabiu Kwankwaso; former governors, ministers, royal fathers, clerics, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

 

Oba Ladoja, who previously served as Governor of Oyo State, ascended the throne through Ibadan’s unique rotational chieftaincy system.

 

Unlike most traditional monarchies in Nigeria, where succession is hereditary, the Olubadan stool is attained through a painstaking journey of promotions across clearly defined chieftaincy lines.

The system is divided into two tracks: the Otun (civil) line and the Balogun (military) line. Together, they make up 45 stages of ascension, with the throne rotating between both lines whenever it becomes vacant.

On the Otun line, there are 22 stages, beginning with the title of Jagun and culminating in Otun Olubadan, the last step before becoming Olubadan. Along the way, titleholders climb through positions such as Ajia, Aare Onibon, Ikolaba, Osi Olubadan, and others, each bringing greater responsibility and influence.

 

The Balogun line has 23 stages, also starting with Jagun and ending at Balogun. Chiefs on this path rise through ranks, including Aare Onibon, Lagunna, Agba-Akin, Ashipa Balogun, and Osi Balogun, before reaching the final stage.

 

By tradition, when the throne becomes vacant, the most senior chief on whichever line is due produces the next Olubadan. This means the process is not determined by family ties but by seniority, patience, and decades of service.

 

This rotational system has long been praised for its transparency and predictability, ensuring stability within Ibadan’s traditional institution.

 

The coronation of Oba Ladoja, who rose through the Otun (civil) line, is another reminder of the resilience of this succession model, which has stood for generations and continues to shape the cultural identity of Ibadanland.

Makinde presents staff of office to Ladoja as 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland

 

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has formally presented the staff and certificate of office to Oba Rasidi Ladoja, officially confirming him as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

 

The presentation took place at exactly 3:05 p.m. on Friday during a colourful and historic coronation ceremony held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

 

The coronation, held at Mapo Hall, was attended by notable dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, further highlighting the cultural and political importance of the event.

 

Makinde’s formal presentation of the staff and certificate of office marks the final step in legitimising Ladoja’s ascension to the throne, symbolising both tradition and continuity in Ibadan’s monarchy.

This coronation is especially notable as it brings a former state governor into a revered royal role, merging political experience with traditional leadership at a time when community influence and governance are increasingly intertwined.

 

Makinde, while speaking, said, “This is a momentous occasion in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the presence of people, and in the presence of God.

 

“In exercise of the power conferred on me as the Governor, I hereby present the staff of office to Oba, His Imperial Majesty, Senator, Governor, Engineer, my Baba, His Imperial Majesty, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1st.

 

“This is in confirmation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. I am so present.”

Coronation: Give us Ibadan State  —  Olubadan tells Tinubu

 

 

The 44th Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has made a public appeal for the creation of Ibadan State before President Bola Tinubu on Friday.

 

Speaking after his installation and receiving the Staff of Office from Governor Seyi Makinde, the new monarch urged Tinubu to make this a reality before 2027.

 

Ladoja, speaking in Yoruba, the monarch said, “My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority.”

 

Similarly, Governor Makinde said the emergence of Ladoja as the 44th traditional leader of the ancient city is a source of pride to the people of Ibadan.

He said, “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.

The succession process to the throne of Olubadan is now well established and free from contestation, and this is a source of pride for us all. I rejoice with the Olubadan, the Ibadan Council of Chiefs, and the entire people of Ibadanland.

 

It is my prayer that the reign of Oba Adewolu Ladoja will usher in lasting peace, unity, and greater progress for Ibadanland and for Oyo State as a whole.”

 

The coronation ceremony also drew the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; a former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; a former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and a former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke who are all in attendance.

 

‎Earlier, the Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Waheed Popoola, performed the traditional rites by placing Akoko leaves on Oba Ladoja’s head at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, before the monarch proceeded in a grand procession to Mapo Hall for the official ceremony.

‎The new Olubadan’s entourage included political allies such as Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun (Ibadan South) and former Oyo State governor candidate, Teslim Folarin.

Also in attendance were Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North in the House of Representatives, alongside other Federal and state lawmakers.

Tinubu departs Abuja for Olubadan’s coronation

 

President Bola Tinubu on Friday departed Abuja for Ibadan, Oyo State, to attend the coronation of the new Olubadan, Rashidi Ladoja.

‎The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the presidential jet took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

‎In Ibadan, Tinubu will join other dignitaries for the official installation ceremony at the historic Mapo Hall.

 

His presence and other dignitaries underscore the national importance of the occasion, as Ibadan celebrates the continuity of its revered monarchical institution.

‎Ladoja, a former Oyo state governor and senator, was selected as the 44th Olubadan, following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7.

‎Excitement is already sweeping across Ibadan as the city witnesses Ladoja’s ascension to the revered throne.

‎Ladoja, 81, is a respected businessman and political figure who rose through the traditional Olubadan chieftaincy ranks to become Olubadan.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland is the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and one of the largest cities in West Africa. The Olubadan throne holds deep cultural, historical, and political significance among the Yoruba people.

Sultan, Kwankwaso, Oyinlola, Duke attend Ladoja’s coronation in Ibadan

 

 

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday hosted dignitaries from across the country as Oba Rashidi Ladoja was formally crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland at Mapo Hall.

‎The coronation ceremony drew the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; a former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; a former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and a former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke.

‎Earlier, the Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Waheed Popoola, performed the traditional rites by placing Akoko leaves on Oba Ladoja’s head at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, before the monarch proceeded in a grand procession to Mapo Hall for the official ceremony.

‎The new Olubadan’s entourage included political allies such as Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun (Ibadan South) and former Oyo State governor candidate, Teslim Folarin.

‎Also in attendance were Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North in the House of Representatives, alongside other federal and state lawmakers.

‎President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, are expected to join the ceremony for the official presentation of the staff of office to the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Nigeria despised by terrorists for choosing tolerance over tyranny – Tinubu

 

President Bola Tinubu has said terrorists despise Nigeria because it chooses tolerance over tyranny, adding that its bitter experience has shown that violence never ends where it begins.

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the ongoing 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, delivered the national statement on behalf of the country.

 

Speaking on global security challenges, Shettima said terrorist groups across regions sought to poison humanity with hate and division.

 

“We are despised by terrorists because we choose tolerance over tyranny.

“Their ambition is to divide us and to poison our humanity with a toxic rhetoric of hate,” Shettima said.

 

He explained that Nigeria’s stand against violence was not only because of international law but also due to its own experience with insurgency.

 

“Our difference is the distance between shadow and light, between despair and hope, between the ruin of anarchy and the promise of order.

 

“We do not only fight wars, we feed and shelter the innocent victims of war,” the statement read in part.

 

On the Israel-Palestine crisis, the federal government reiterated its support for a two-state solution as the most dignified path to peace.

 

“We say without stuttering and without doubt, that a two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for the people of Palestine.

 

“The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilisation searching for order.

“They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted,” Shettima declared.

 

Turning to domestic reforms, the Vice President stressed that peace required tough economic choices.

 

“The price of peace is eternal vigilance. We in Nigeria are already familiar with such difficult choices: infrastructure renewal or defence platforms? Schools or tanks?

growth and prosperity,” he said.

 

According to him, FG has taken necessary steps to restructure the economy and remove distortions such as subsidies and currency controls that had favoured a few at the expense of the majority.

 

The Vice President added that the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit, held earlier this year in Abuja, had exceeded expectations and shown what innovation could deliver.

 

Tinubu’s statement further urged the United Nations to re-examine the best use of scarce resources, especially in tackling climate change, which he described as a security issue with direct implications for migration and stability.

 

PUNCH Online had reported that Shettima is in New York to represent President Bola Tinubu at the session, which runs until September 28.

 

He is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, unveil the country’s new Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, and take part in side events, bilateral meetings, and roundtables.

This year’s 80th session began on September 9, while the high-level General Debate, the main platform for heads of state and government to address the Assembly, started on September 23 and will feature more than 150 leaders.

Oluwo, Ataoja feud: Regulate monarchs’ social media usage, Princes urge Adeleke

 

Princes from three royal families on Iwo, Osun State have appealed to the state government and the Osun Traditional Council to regulate use of social media platforms by monarchs in the state.

 

The princes, who decried incessant fighting among traditional rulers in Yorubaland on social media, demanded an end to the menace before it causes more disunity within the race.

 

They disclosed this while reacting to the supremacy battle between Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over who occupies the fourth position in the hierarchy of monarchs in the state at a press conference held in Iwo.

 

Addressing journalists in Iwo on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the royal families, Prince Adedoja Osunwo, said the feud between the two monarchs could have been averted if necessary internal mechanisms were in place for conflict resolution among traditional rulers.

Osunwo noted that the use of social media by the two traditional rulers to defend their position was not necessary since a gazette existed that states the status of various stools.

 

Speaking in the Yoruba language, Osunwo said, “We want to urge the state government, the state traditional council and other relevant stakeholders in the state to put necessary machinery in motion to regulate social media conduct of our traditional rulers.

 

“Our mission here today is not to condemn or find fault with any of the royal fathers on the ongoing verbal attack between the Oluwo of Iwo and the Ataoja of Osogbo. The records are there. It has been gazetted for quite a long time that Oluwo of Iwo, when it comes to traditional rulers ranking in Osun State, occupies number four.

 

“The verbal attack we are witnessing today between the two monarchs is unnecessary if necessary internal mechanisms have been put in place for conflict resolution. If what is going on on social media regarding Oluwo and Ataoja is not curtailed, it will have a bad effect on the unity of the Yorubas. Yoruba unity is of greater importance, particularly at this time when a Yoruba is at the helm of affairs.”

He added, “The manner in which some of our traditional rulers go on social media is not something that should be welcomed. The outburst we have been hearing through social media is not something that we should be happy about.

“The idea of using social media for defence by the two royal fathers in this dispute is unnecessary. We want to appreciate the role played so far by the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, in his attempt to douse the tension. We also commend the Iwo Board of Trustees for their effort and urged them to find a truce. The need for an internal mechanism for conflict resolution should be embraced by the Osun State traditional council under the leadership of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.”

 

Commenting further, he blamed the disagreement on distortion of historical facts, adding that Oluwo’s throne emanated from Ile-Ife and Oluwo was never a lesser chief.

 

“We want to place it on record that the throne of Oluwo emanated from Ile-Ife, and there is no contention about that. It has never been in history that Oluwo was ever a community chief ‘Baale’ and has such recognition, due to the throne of Oluwo, which should be given to whoever is occupying that throne.

 

“The ongoing issue was occasioned by the distortion of historical facts through logical thinking, which we believe should be discouraged. Relying on folktales to justify the position being taken by any traditional ruler on issues should be discarded,” Osunwo added.

The PUNCH reports that Ataoja, during a recent lecture at Osun State University to mark his 15th coronation anniversary, revisited the long-standing controversy over the who occupies the 4th position between him and Oluwo.

He insisted that his stool historically occupies the fourth position in the Council—a status he alleged was wrongly ceded to the Oluwo during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Oyewale.

 

Oba Oyetunji narrated how the confusion began, stressing that he was not fighting any monarch but merely asserting the historical rights of his stool.

 

But Oluwo fired back through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, accusing Oba Oyetunji of attempting to distort history.

 

He urged Ataoja to seek accurate historical knowledge from respected elders of Osogbo rather than distort the hierarchy of Yoruba traditional stools.

Olubadan: Obasanjo congratulates Ladoja, urges separation of tradition, politics

 

 

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has congratulated the 44th new Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, on his formal ascension to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in a ceremony slated for Friday.

 

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Obasanjo, in Yoruba royalty salutation, prays “Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese”, even as he observed that the formal coronation ceremony was only a formality.

 

The former President, who, according to the statement, is presently in New York for the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, however, advised the new monarch to separate tradition and politics, noting that the new position requires humility and tolerance among others.

 

Obasanjo, in the congratulatory statement, said, “I take this opportunity to congratulate you in advance of a formal announcement. Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese.

“It is an exalted and responsible position to be the traditional ruler of all Ibadan people. It requires humility, patience, divine wisdom, tolerance, and advice from wide and varied quarters to succeed.

“Traditional rulership does not compete or conflict with political rulership. I wish you all the best and the grace, guide, and direction of Almighty God.”

 

PUNCH Online had, on September 23, 2025, reported that the organising committee, inaugurated by the Oyo State Government to oversee the coronation of the former Governor of the state as new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, announced the closing of some routes leading to the ancient Mapo Hall.

 

A statement issued by the committee stated that the affected routes include Beere Junction inward Mapo Hall; Born Photo Junction inwards Oja’ba; Idi-Arere Junction inwards Oja’ba, and Itamerin Junction inwards Mapo Hall shall be shut by 7:00 am on Friday.

 

According to the statement, the security committee, which is under the General Committee, chaired by the former Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes President, Bayo Oyero, informed that traffic diversions on the routes were occasioned by the coming of President Bola Tinubu, who promised to attend the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan.

Only the best for my lady, Davido gifts wife Chioma 2025 G-Wagon

 

 

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has spoiled his wife, Chioma, with a brand-new 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

 

The luxury SUV, which recently hit the market, is priced at over $150,000 (₦240 million) depending on specifications. Known for its cutting-edge design and electric model options, the 2025 edition marks a major upgrade from earlier versions.

 

Davido, in a video posted on his Instagram Story on Wednesday, was seen hyping the moment as he picked up the vehicle, explaining how he traded in a previous model and added more funds to secure the latest release.

 

“First of all, we had to take the one I got, then obviously add more money to get the new one.”

 

He fawned over the moment and emphasised his motivation, declaring, “Only the best for my lady,” he said with excitement.

When he eventually presented the G-Wagon to Chioma, she was visibly excited, while Davido cheered her on, declaring, “We do 2025!”

 

Davido and Chioma Adeleke’s wedding was a grand and highly publicised series of ceremonies, culminating in a lavish white wedding held in Miami on August 10, 2025.

 

The Miami event was the final of three weddings, following a court marriage in March 2023 and a traditional wedding in Lagos in June 2024.

 

This star-studded white wedding reportedly cost about $3.7 million and was attended by notable personalities, including business moguls, political figures, and top entertainers from Nigeria and beyond.

Actress Mercy Aigbe Loses Mother

 

Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, on Tuesday announced the death of her mother.

 

The actress shared the sad news on Instagram with a candlelight image against a broken heart background, captioned: “R.I.P Mum.”

 

The announcement drew a wave of condolence messages from colleagues, fans, and friends in the entertainment industry.

 

Actress Iyabo Ojo wrote: “So sorry ore, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

 

Controversial crossdresser Idris Olanrewaju commented: “Sorry sis.”

Actress Dayo Amusa wrote, “My sincere condolences, Agbeke.”

 

Motilola also wrote: “So sorry, Momma. Accept my condolences.”

 

Actor Bolanle Ninalowo stated, “My condolences, sis.”

 

Other celebrities like Omowunmi Ajiboye and Tayo Faniran also sent in their sympathy messages, praying for the repose of her mother’s soul.

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