Following the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin I), on Monday morning, the succession now rests with the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

With the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin I), on Monday morning, the path to the ancient throne now leads to Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State.

According to Ibadan’s unique and time-honoured succession system, the next in line after the demise of an Olubadan is the Otun Olubadan — a position currently held by Oba Ladoja. His ascension will mark a historic moment, as he becomes the first former Oyo State governor to ascend the Olubadan throne.

A veteran politician and businessman, Oba Ladoja served as Oyo State governor between 2003 and 2007, and previously as a senator during the short-lived Third Republic in 1993 under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). He will also be the second Nigerian senator to assume the Olubadan title, following the late Oba Lekan Balogun, who represented Oyo Central in the Senate from 1999 to 2003.

Born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ibadan, Oba Ladoja received his early education at Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School before proceeding to the University of Liège in Belgium, where he studied chemical engineering from 1966 to 1972.

His career began at Total Nigeria, where he worked for 13 years before venturing into private business. His entrepreneurial interests have spanned multiple sectors — including shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and transportation.

Ladoja’s political prominence rose in the 1990s. Elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1993, he later became a director at Standard Trust Bank by 2000. In 2003, he was elected governor of Oyo State but was controversially impeached in 2006. His impeachment was overturned later that year, and he returned to office until 2007. Despite political turbulence, he remained a formidable figure in state and national politics.

Nation Mourns Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin

Meanwhile, tributes have poured in following the death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away at the age of 90, just days after marking his birthday and coronation anniversary.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement issued by his media aide Bayo Onanuga, described the late monarch as a symbol of peace, wisdom, and leadership, whose life embodied the ideals of public service and cultural preservation.

“He was not only a custodian of Ibadan’s rich heritage but also a man of intellect whose impact reached into education, governance, and national development,” the president said.

Tinubu recalled having recently received an invitation to the Olubadan’s 90th birthday celebration, which now serves as a poignant reminder of the monarch’s final days.

Governor Makinde Pledges Support for Royal Family

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has also expressed condolences and assured the late monarch’s family of the government’s full support, including the facilitation of a befitting burial.

Receiving a delegation from the Olubadan’s family at his office on Monday, Makinde noted the irreplaceable nature of the late king but urged the family to take solace in a life well lived.

“We wish they could stay with us longer, but our time on earth is limited. The government will honour Kabiyesi with the dignity he deserves,” the governor said.

A Legacy of Service and Tradition

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, celebrated his coronation anniversary and 90th birthday on July 5, 2025, just days before his passing. Despite initial controversies surrounding his ascension, his reign was marked by unity and cultural affirmation, according to Chief Bayo Oyero, former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), who led the family delegation to the governor.

“We thank your government for its historic support, especially the remarkable coronation ceremony held in his honour,” Oyero said.

As the city mourns, attention now shifts to the traditional succession process — and the likely coronation of a former governor as Ibadan’s next royal father. If confirmed, Oba Ladoja’s ascension will blend political legacy with cultural authority, marking a new chapter in Ibadanland’s storied monarchy.

”NIVONEWS”