The passage of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, in the early hours of Monday July 7, 2025, has shifted attention of the ancient city’s unique traditional institution and people to a former Governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja.
Oba Olakulehin, who ascended the throne in July 2024 as the 43rd Olubadan, joined his ancestors barely 48 hours after celebrating his 90th birthday. He succeeded Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun who earlier passed on in March 2024..
Already, the traditional institution is awaiting the arrival from a foreign trip of the former governor, who is the next in the line of the Olubadan hierarchy after the departed monarch.
Going by the Olubadan traditional succession system, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who is the highest ranking high chief on the succession line, will automatically step in and be crowned Nigeria’s largest city’s royal father in a matter of days after the performance of the necessary traditional rites.
Ladoja will be coming in as the 44th Olubadan.
Interestingly, the Olubadan royal succession is governed by a unique and time-tested system that emphasizes hierarchy and seniority within two alternating royal lines — the Balogun line (military) and the Otun Olubadan line (civil).
Because the departed Oba Olakulehin hailed from the Balogun line, his successor must emerge from the Otun line.
The topmost high chief in the Otun line is High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan.
Formal traditional rites to usher in the former governor to the Olubadan throne will expectedly start any moment from mow with the formal ratification of his choice by the Ibadan kingmakers
Remarkably, during his installation as the Otun Olubadan, Ladoja publicly affirmed his commitment to the Ibadan traditional system.
Declaring that all previous doubts regarding his role in the chieftaincy hierarchy had been settled, he expressed his readiness to serve, promising to uphold the custom, tradition and dignity of the ancient city.
With his deep-rooted experience in business, public service, a notable political career including his tenure as Governor of Oyo State, and years of consistent rise through the chieftaincy ranks, Ladoja stands in strong stead to become the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
His anticipated emergence would not only mark a significant milestone in Ibadan’s history but also reinforce the city’s reputation for maintaining an orderly, transparent, and peaceful royal succession — a rarity in many traditional institutions across Nigeria.
As the city mourns the passing of Oba Olakulehin, the attention of indigenes and traditional institutions alike now turns to the next royal transition — one that is expected to proceed in line with the customs that have long defined Ibadan’s regal heritage.
