Ladoja crowned 44th Olubadan

Former Oyo State Governor Oba Rashidi Ladoja has officially been crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Ladoja was crowned at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Ladoja is now expected to receive his staff of office from Governor Seyi Makinde.

The Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Waheed Popoola of the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, had earlier performed the traditional rite of placing Akoko leaves on the former governor.

This was greeted with loud cheers from the large crowd present.

Ladoja, who turned 81 on Thursday, emerged from the civil line of the Olubadan throne, specifically from the Otun Olubadan position, which is the most senior chief in the civil line.

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Ibadan’s unique rotational traditional system permits throne alternation between the civil (Otun) and military (Balogun) lines, a structure which has been carefully maintained for the past 170 years.

The Olubadan stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7, at the age of 90.

Ladoja was installed as Jagun on October 1, 1993, by Oba Yesufu Oloyede-Asanike, after which he embraced each promotion for 32 years with perseverance, commitment, and understanding as required by the Olubadan chieftaincy system.

He accepted the ceremonial beaded crown in August 2024, a requirement for advancing to Olubadan under the revised Ibadan chieftaincy declaration.

The Star