A former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, has been officially crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, marking a significant moment in the rich traditional history of the ancient city.
The coronation ceremony took place at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, where Oba Ladoja received his royal title in accordance with longstanding custom. Earlier in the day, he was adorned with the sacred Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, a crucial step in the traditional rites leading to his ascension.
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Governor Seyi Makinde, who reportedly cut short his annual leave to attend the historic occasion, is expected to formally present the new monarch with the staff and instrument of office at Mapo Hall, a symbolic and cultural landmark in Ibadan.
Oba Ladoja’s coronation follows the passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died on July 7, 2025.
The event drew dignitaries from across the South-West and beyond, including traditional rulers such as the Oluwo of Iwo, Soun of Ogbomoso, and a representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, reflecting the importance of the occasion within Yoruba royal institutions.
Ibadan residents have welcomed the new Olubadan with celebration and traditional fanfare, marking a new chapter in the city’s leadership and cultural heritage.
