Meet Ex-Gov Rashidi Ladoja, The Next Olubadan

The Monday morning passing of 90-year-old 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has cleared the coast for the ascension to the revered Ibadan throne by former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the 44th Olubadan.

Oba Olakulehin, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending a year on the throne and a couple of days after his 90th birthday anniversary.

Ladoja, who was last year elevated as the Otun Olubadan, is unarguably the next in line to mount the throne in accordance with the chieftaincy tradition of Ibadanland.

Every male child of Ibadan origin is by default a potential Olubadan. The Olubadan ascension procedure is renowned for its seamless progression where the family head, known as the ‘Mogaji’ progresses from one stage to another, depending on a vacuum available, following the death of a person up the ladder.

LEADERSHIP findings showed that one can become the Olubadan from either the Otun (civilian) or Balogun (military) lines after rising through the ladder.

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One becomes the Olubadan from the Otun line by progressing from Mogaji to Jagun Olubadan, Ajia Olubadan, Bada Olubadan, Aare Onibon Olubadan, Gbonkaa Olubadan, Aare-Egbe Omo Olubadan, Oota Olubadan, Lagunna Olubadan, Aare-Ago Olubadan, Ayingun Olubadan, Asaju Olubadan, Ikolaba Olubadan, Aare-Alasa Olubadan, Agbaakin Olubadan, Ekefa Olubadan, Maye Olubadan, Abese Olubadan, Ekarun Olubadan, Ekerin Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Otun Olubadan and finally the Olubadan.

On the military line, the Mogaji is promoted to the Jagun Balogun, Ajia Balogun, Bada Balogun, Aare Onibon Balogun, Gbonkaa Balogun, Aare-Egbe Omo Balogun, Oota Balogun, Lagunna Balogun, Aare-Ago Balogun, Ayingun Balogun, Asaju Balogun, Ikolaba Balogun, Aare-Alasa Balogun, Agbaakin Balogun, Ekefa Balogun, Maye Balogun, Abese Balogun, Ekarun Balogun, Ekerin Balogun, Ashipa Balogun, Osi Balogun, Otun Balogun, Balogun, and eventually the Olubadan.

The late Oba Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, was from the Balogun family line after he succeeded Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun from the civilian line, who died after two years on the throne in March 2024.

The exit of Oba Olakulehin has, therefore, paved the way for the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja to ascend the throne as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The 80-year-old Oba Ladoja was born in Ibadan on September 25, 1944, to a successful cocoa trader, Alhaji Aruna Ladoja, and Alhaja Haleemat Ladoja, a community leader.

Ladoja had his elementary education at Ibadan City Council Primary School, Ibadan, from where he went to Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, for his secondary education before heading to University of Liège, Belgium, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and undertook various courses in industrial management and engineering.

The next Olubadan had established himself as an accomplished engineer and businessman before venturing into the political and traditional turfs, and has been instrumental in various sectors where he leveraged his expertise to drive economic growth and development.

Ladoja is a Nigerian businessman and politician who was elected as the governor of Oyo State in 2003 before his purported impeachment in 2006; he triumphed in the court later in 2006 to complete his term in 2007.

He became Otun Olubadan on March 4, 2024, after the ascension to the Ibadan throne by Oba Olakulehin, a development that positioned him as the most senior chief in the Olubadan line of succession.

As the Otun Olubadan, Oba Ladoja immersed himself in traditional governance, cultural preservation, and conflict resolution within Ibadanland, being a key member of the Olubadan-in-Council where he advises on critical matters impacting governance and development.

In the days to come, Ladoja will be formally announced as the Olubadan-designate and a date for his coronation will also be revealed by the Oyo State government.