“Orí bá Ladoja sè o dí Olubadan” – Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja is now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The journey to the stool of Africa’s largest metropolis is not easy. From Mogaji—a family house title—to Jagun—the starting point of the ascension line, either civil or military, to Olubadan, it is always a journey of resiliency, hard work, and determination, which must be fuelled by LONG LIFE.
In choosing the next Olubadan, it requires no politicking. The door of manipulation, by process, is shut against greedy kinsmen, desperate princes, power-drunk politicians, and corrupt Ifa priests who might want to favor their favorites. What you need as an Ibadan indigene is to become a Mogaji in your early years, strive to become a Jagun in early fifties, and pray for a long life; you will surely become Olubadan. The process is flawless and arguably the best royal selection method in Africa and the world at large.
Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja is a person of grace, destiny, and fate. When one studies Oba Ladoja’s life, the privileges he had and the hardships he endured, one can see that he is a man who is truly loved and beloved by God. Ladoja’s narrative is comparable to those of a few Nigerians who walked a thorny path to greatness. Truly, the head that would be crowned will emerge from a brass goblet. The neck that would sustain royal heads will likewise emerge from a brass goblet.
Ladoja, the small boy who grew up on Isale-Osi Street, began his rise to the throne as a Jagun in 1993 and is now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, 32 years later. He arguably became the first graduate of chemical engineering in his family. He was the very first senator. He was the first governor. He is now the first Olubadan in his bloodline, dubbed the Arusa 1.
“Orí là bá bọ, a ò bá f’Òrìṣà sílẹ̀”? Orí plays a crucial role in life’s path. Every life scenario has been validated and ordained by God. However, there are some people who will have a significant impact on one’s life, either positively or negatively. Ladoja considers the late Adedibu to be a significant figure in his life.
Late Adedibu was a polarizing figure. He made an adequate contribution to his ascent and fall. He appointed him as governor while continuing to plot his impeachment on allocation and appointment difficulties. Ladoja ran to court and won his mandate. However, he was never re-elected by the People’s Democratic Party.
Who creates and still destroys? Late Adedibu. Many historians and authors, who do not allow Adedibu to shine with their inks, were probably surprised when Oba Ladoja praised and acknowledged the contributions of late Chief Adedibu during his coronation speech.
What? Adedibu? Oosa Molete? Idameji Ibadan ti won pe ni enikan soso? How? Many people are puzzled, but Oba Ladoja is not a child. “In 1993, Baba Adedibu helped me become Jagun,” he said. He knew if he had not been a Jagun in 1993, he would not have been Ibadan’s 44th Olubadan.
What an amazing man, Oba Ladoja! It’s no surprise that he’s still healthy at the age of 81. A man who has a clear head is healthy. He not only forgave the guy who orchestrated his impeachment and refused him a return ticket to the government house, but also acknowledged his role in becoming Olubadan.
Many people are unaware that Oba Ladoja was briefly held in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 30, 2008, before being granted N100m bail with two sureties. His ex-godfather, the late Adedibu, his ex-deputy, the late Also Akala, and majority of those implicated in the conspiracy have all died. Oba Ladoja passed a message during his coronation. Bygone is gone.
“Ori ba mi se ki n de Ade owo. “Ori ba mi se. Ki n de ade ola. Ori ti gbe Adewolu, Ori ti ba Ladoja se. O ti di Olubadan ti Ile Ibadan” – His head favors him, and the ‘Isale Osi boy’ is now sitting proudly on the throne of his forefathers.
PROFILE OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, OBA RASHEED ADEWOLU LADOJA, THE 44TH OLUBADAN OF IBADANLAND
EARLY LIFE
He was born on 25 September 1944 in Gambari village near Ibadan.
EDUCATION
He attended Ibadan Boys High School (1958–1963) and Olivet Baptist High School (1964–1965). He studied at the University of Liège, Belgium (1966–1972) where he earned a degree in chemical engineering.
CAREER
He got a job with Total Nigeria, an oil corporation, where he worked for 13 years in various positions before venturing into private enterprise in 1985. His commercial interests include shipping, manufacturing, finance, agricultural, and transportation. By 2000, Ladoja had been appointed director of Standard Trust Bank Limited.
POLITICAL LIFE
He was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1992 as a member of the Social Democratic Party during the Third Republic. He was elected as a governor of Oyo State in April 2003 under the Peoples Democratic Party and assumed office on May 29. One of the state’s PDP power brokers, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, backed him.
By August 2004, Ladoja and Adedibu were locked in a fierce struggle over allocation of government appointees. On 12 January 2006, Ladoja was impeached by Oyo State legislators and forced out of office. His deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, was sworn in as the new governor.
On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court in Ibadan, the state capital, found the impeachment null and void, but suggested waiting for confirmation from the Supreme Court. The decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court on November 11, 2006, and Ladoja resumed office on December 12, 2006.
Ladoja failed to secure the PDP nomination for a second term.
ROYALTY
Ladoja became an Oba after he received a ceremonial beaded crown from reigning Olubadan and the Government of Oyo State on 12 August 2024.
Following the death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, Ladoja was announced as the incoming Olubadan on 7 July 2025.
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