From Political Battlefield to Royal Throne: Rashidi Ladoja’s Triumphant Journey to Olubadan of Ibadan

By Olatunji Adesina
September 5, 2025

Ibadan, Oyo State — In a few weeks, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja will ascend the revered Olubadan throne, officially becoming the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. This historic moment, long awaited and rooted in decades of tradition and resilience, marks the culmination of a life marked by trials, triumphs, and unyielding determination.

A Life Forged in Resilience and Tradition

Born on September 25, 1944, in the modest village of Gambari near Ibadan, Ladoja’s early years were a testament to the classic Yoruba communal spirit. Although his childhood was shadowed by financial hardship that forced him to drop out of school temporarily, his academic brilliance soon shone through. With scholarships earned from the Western Region and the Ministry of Education, he pursued Chemical Engineering at the University of Liège, Belgium, graduating in 1972.

Ladoja’s early professional life saw him rise steadily in Total Nigeria before branching into diverse businesses including shipping, manufacturing, and agriculture. His entry into politics in the early 1990s led him to become a Senator and later the Governor of Oyo State in 2003.

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Political Trials that Tested His Resolve

Ladoja’s term as governor was marked by a fierce stand against the entrenched patronage politics symbolized by his former political godfather, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a dominant figure in Ibadan politics. Their ideological clash culminated in Ladoja’s impeachment in 2006, orchestrated by Adedibu and backed by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. Yet, the political tide turned when the courts reinstated Ladoja after declaring his impeachment invalid—turning his political downfall into a testament of resilience and justice.

Despite subsequent electoral defeats and party switches, Ladoja’s influence in Ibadan’s political and civic landscape endured, highlighted by his role in the 2019 coalition that brought Governor Seyi Makinde to power.

The Sacred Ladder to Olubadan

Unlike political offices, the Olubadan throne is not won through election or power brokering but through a unique system steeped in time and tradition. Ibadan’s chieftaincy system features a 22-step hierarchical ladder, bifurcated into the civil (Egbe Agba) and military (Balogun) lines. Advancement depends strictly on seniority and respect from Ibadan’s council of elders.

Since the 1980s, Ladoja steadily climbed these ranks—starting as Mogaji of the Ladoja family, then ascending titles such as Jagun Olubadan, Ajia, Bada, Asaju, and more, until he became Otun Olubadan, the most senior chief on the civil line and next in line for the throne.

The recent passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, accelerated Ladoja’s final step towards the crown, as tradition dictates the rotation of the throne to the civil line.

Upholding the Spirit of Ibadan

Ladoja’s journey to kingship is a powerful symbol of Ibadan’s indomitable spirit: a city that honors patience, resilience, and the rule of law. Throughout his ascent, he has been a staunch defender of the Olubadan succession system, opposing attempts to dilute its sanctity through proliferation of rival kings.

His formal acceptance of the beaded crown in 2024 signaled his readiness to embrace traditional leadership fully, a poignant reconciliation between his political past and royal future.

What the Throne Represents

In his own words, Ladoja has articulated leadership as service, not status. To him, becoming Olubadan is not only a personal honor but a solemn responsibility to serve the people of Ibadan with humility and dedication.

As he prepares to don the Olubadan beaded crown this month, Ibadan stands ready to welcome a monarch whose life story mirrors its own—a saga of endurance, transformation, and unwavering commitment to progress.