On Friday, September 26, 2025, Ibadan will witness history as Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland at Mapo Hall. For the sprawling city of brown rooftops, bustling markets, and deep-rooted traditions, this isn’t just another coronation. It’s a moment that captures the unique spirit of Ibadan, a city where you don’t inherit greatness, but you earn it.
If you’re curious about what makes this coronation significant, here are five things you should know about the new Olubadan.
1. He wasn’t born into royalty — he earned his place
Unlike other Yoruba thrones, the Olubadan stool is not about bloodline or family privilege. It’s one of the most democratic succession systems in Nigeria. To become Olubadan, you must start as a Mogaji, the recognized head of your family compound, and then begin the long, patient climb through chieftaincy titles.
Each promotion comes when someone ahead of you passes away or moves up, making it a decades-long journey where patience is the real qualification. Ladoja began this climb in the 1980s as Mogaji of the Odugade family. Step by step, he rose: Jagun, Osi, Otun, until he reached the top of the civil line. His path shows that in Ibadan, destiny isn’t handed down at birth. It’s something you work for.
Read: Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin Crowned as 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland
2. Ibadan’s succession system is unlike any other in Yorubaland
In places like Ife, Oyo, or Benin, royal houses produce kings through bloodline rotation. But Ibadan does things differently. The city, founded in the 19th century as a war camp, built its monarchy on merit and seniority rather than inheritance.
The system runs along two lines of succession: the Otun (civil) line and the Balogun (military) line. Each has more than 20 stages, and candidates progress one step at a time. That’s why Ibadan indigenes are often called Agbotikuyo — people who quietly celebrate news of death, since every passing creates a promotion opportunity.
This unique ladder ensures that any true son of Ibadan has a shot at the crown. But it also means that many Olubadans are crowned in their 70s, 80s, or even 90s, often ruling for only a short time before joining their ancestors.
3. He is a former governor who knows the ups and downs of politics
Rashidi Ladoja is not just a traditional ruler. He is also a seasoned politician who once governed Oyo State. Elected in 2003, he served until 2007, but his tenure was anything but smooth. In 2006, he was impeached by the state House of Assembly in a dramatic power tussle that divided Oyo politics.
For months, he endured humiliation and isolation. But in a remarkable comeback, he fought his impeachment in court and was reinstated by the Court of Appeal, with the Supreme Court later affirming the decision. That resilience earned him respect as a man who doesn’t back down easily.
His political career didn’t end there. He contested elections afterward under different parties, showing a persistence that mirrors the Ibadan tradition of endurance. Today, that same resilience has brought him to the Olubadan stool.
4. His rise reflects patience over privilege
In Ibadan, becoming Olubadan is a marathon that can take 30 to 40 years. Some chiefs never live long enough to reach the top. For those who do, the journey tests character as much as ambition.
Ladoja’s ascension reminds Ibadan and Nigeria of the value of patience. Unlike monarchies where a prince waits for his father’s passing, Ibadan’s ladder system makes no room for shortcuts. You can’t buy your way in. You can’t inherit it overnight. To get there, you climb, step by step, until destiny decides your time has come.
For a man who has known both defeat and vindication in politics, this crown is more than a symbol. It is the ultimate reward for endurance.
Read: 22 Interesting Facts About Ibadan
5. The coronation is more than tradition — it’s Ibadan’s biggest celebration
Ibadan knows how to celebrate history. On coronation day, the city will transform. From Oja’ba to Mapo Hall, markets will pause, traders will dance, drummers will beat their talking drums, and chiefs will arrive in flowing agbada to honor the new king.
For the people of Ibadan, the Olubadan is more than a ceremonial figure. He is the custodian of tradition, the protector of culture, and the living proof that perseverance can lead to greatness. Ladoja’s coronation is not just about one man. It’s about a city affirming its values — resilience, unity, and the belief that destiny can be delayed, but never denied.
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja: The 44Th Olubadan
As Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja becomes the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, his journey offers a lesson to all: greatness doesn’t always come from privilege. Sometimes it comes from patience, perseverance, and the courage to rise again after every fall.
And that is why this coronation is more than Ibadan’s story. It’s a reminder that destiny, no matter how long it takes, always arrives.