By Charles Pemu 
IBADAN, OYO STATE – The historic city of Ibadan erupted in celebration today as Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was officially crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, marking a momentous convergence of high-wire politics and ancient tradition.
The coronation reached its spectacular climax with the arrival of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the iconic Mapo Hall, underscoring the national significance of the former governor’s ascension. The President was greeted by a massive, cheering crowd of dignitaries, residents, and well-wishers who have transformed the city into a kaleidoscope of joy and pageantry.
Oba Ladoja, who clocked 81 on the eve of his coronation, is not just a monarch but a towering statesman whose journey is deeply etched in the history of Oyo State. He served as the Governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2007, a tenure characterized by turbulence, including an impeachment that was later overturned by the courts, but also by a deep-seated connection to the masses. Even in his time as a politician, he was a vocal defender of the Olubadan traditional system, notably challenging a controversial 2017 attempt to alter the chieftaincy structure—a move that cemented his respect among cultural purists.
The excitement sweeping across Ibadan and Oyo State is palpable. The people view the coronation not just as a rotational change of guard, but as the crowning of a wise, seasoned leader. Ladoja’s decades of experience in the Senate, the Governor’s office, and a 32-year steady climb through the strict hierarchical Ibadan chieftaincy system have made his emergence a highly anticipated event. His ascension, following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7, 2025, is seen as a divine validation of his long, resilient walk toward destiny.
The traditional rites began with the new monarch receiving the symbolic Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, before proceeding to the Ose Meji Temple for the official crowning.
The ceremony at Mapo Hall is a magnet for the nation’s elite. Besides President Tinubu, the massive guest list includes traditional rulers like the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, current Governor Seyi Makinde (who cut short his annual leave for the event), former Governors, Senators, and top political leaders from across all geopolitical zones, all gathered to celebrate the man who has successfully transitioned from a political mogul to the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadanland.
