Ibadan came to a standstill on September 26, 2025, as former Oyo State governor and senator, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, was officially crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The historic installation ceremony began with traditional rites at the Ose Meji Temple and Afobaje Labosinde before the grand coronation at Mapo Hall, where cultural parades and Fuji music electrified the atmosphere.
The event drew an array of dignitaries, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, state governors, and traditional rulers from across Nigeria. Thousands of Ibadan residents also thronged the streets, celebrating the ascension of their new monarch with drumming, dancing, and displays of Yoruba heritage.
At 81, Oba Ladoja pledged in his coronation speech to make education for Ibadan’s youth a priority while fostering unity across the land. “We must continue to build a city where tradition, knowledge, and peace thrive,” he declared, signaling his vision for a reign that blends cultural preservation with progressive development.
#Olubadan #RashidiLadoja #Ibadan #YorubaTradition
