Oba Rashidi Ladoja Turns 81 Ahead of Historic Coronation as 44th Olubadan

Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja celebrates his 81st birthday today, September 25, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the distinguished businessman, former senator, and ex-governor of Oyo State. Tomorrow, September 26, 2025, he is set to ascend the throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, a momentous occasion eagerly awaited by the people of Ibadan and beyond.

Born in 1944 in Gambari village near Ibadan, Oba Ladoja has lived a life marked by public service and business success. Educated locally and at the University of Liège in Belgium where he studied chemical engineering, he worked in the oil sector before venturing into diverse business fields such as shipping, agriculture, and banking. His political career saw him serve as a senator and later as Governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007. His tenure included challenges, including impeachment and reinstatement, yet he remained a respected leader with notable achievements.

Today’s birthday celebrations are embraced by the ancient city, readying itself for tomorrow’s grand crowning at the historic Mapo Hall. The week-long festivities, jointly organized by the Oyo State Government and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, include cultural events, prayers, and notable lectures highlighting the tradition and history of Ibadan monarchs.

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Oba Ladoja’s ascension to the Olubadan throne signals a new chapter for Ibadanland, anticipated to bring development and modernization. Prominent figures including President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and various Yoruba monarchs are expected to attend the coronation, underscoring the importance of the event nationally.

His reign is encouraged to embody humility, wisdom, and a clear separation of traditional rulership from politics, as advised by elder statesmen. The people of Ibadanland express great optimism about what this new era under their 44th Olubadan will bring.