A former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, was on Friday, September 26, 2025, officially crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, marking a significant moment in the rich traditional history of the ancient city.
The coronation ceremony took place at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, where Oba Ladoja received his royal title in accordance with longstanding custom. Earlier in the day, he was adorned with the sacred Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, a crucial step in the traditional rites leading to his ascension.
The demise of the 43rd monarch of the ancient city, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, led to Ladoja’s ascension to the throne.
On Monday, July 7th, 2025, the demise ofOba Olakulehin was reported in the brown roof city and national dailies.
The New Daily Prime reported that the monarch joined his ancestors just two days after he marked his 90th birthday and during the ongoing 90th birthday and first-anniversary coronation celebrations. Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has yet to officially announce the demise of the king.
.The late Oba Olakulehin was birth on July 5, 1935. He was officially presented with the staff of office by the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, as the 43rd monarch of Ibadanland.
As of the time of this publication, 44 monarchs have been enthroned in Ibadan since 1820.
Below is the list of the 43 Olubadan of Ibadan
- Lagelu – 1820
- Baale Maye Okunade – 1820-1826
- Baale Oluyendun Labosinde – 1826-1830
- Baale Lakanle – 1830-1835
- Basorun Oluyole Ojaba – 1835-1850
- Baale Oderinlo Opeagbe Idiomo/Kure – 1850-1851
- Baale Oyesile Olugbode Ita Baale – 1851-1864
- Ba’ale Ibikunle – 1864-1865
- Basorun Ogumola Mapo – 1865-1867
- Balogun Beyioku Akere Onitamperin – 1867-1870
- Baale Orowusi (Awarun) Kobomoje – 1870-1871
- Aare Oadoke Latoosa Oke-Are – 1871-1885
- Balogun Ajayi Osungbekun Kobmoje – 1885-1893
- Baate Fijabi 1 (Omo Babalola) Oritamerin – 1893-1895
- Baale Osuntoki Olusun Agbeni – 1895-1897
- Badorun Fajimi (Yerombi) Oranyan – 1897-1902
- Baale Mosaderin Sunlehinmi Oranyan – 1902-1904
- Baale Dada Opadare Mapo – 1904-1907
- Basorun Sumonu Apanpa Isale-Osi – 1907-1910
- Baale Akintayo Awanibaku Elenpe Bere, Aboke – 1910-1912
- Baale Irefin (Omo Ogundeyi) Oke Ofa Babasale – 1912-1914
- Baale Shitu (Omo Are Latosa) Oke Are 1914-1925 11
- Baale Oyewole Aiyejenku Omo Foko Oke Foko – 1925-1930
- Olubadan Okunola Abaasi Alesinloye Isale Ijebu – 1930-1946
- Olubadan Fagbinrin Akere II Oritamerin – 1946-1946
- Olubadan Oyetunde I Eleta – 1946-1946
- Olubadan Akintunde Bioku Oleyo, Oranyan – 1947-1948
- Olubadan Fijabi II Oritamerin – 1948-1952
- Olubadan Memudu Alli Iwo Gbenla – 1952- 1952
- Olubadan Igbintade Apete Oke Ofa – 1952-1955
- Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele Alafara – 1955-1964
- Oba Yesufu Kobiowu Oranyan – 1964-1964
- Oba Salawu Akanbi Aminu Adeoyo – 1965-1971
- Oba Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II Eleta – 1971- 1976
- Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe Odinjo – 1976- 1977
- Oba Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi Elekuro – 1977-1982
- Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike IdiAro – 1983- 1993
- Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde Isale Ijebu – 1993-1999
- Oba Yinusa B. Ogundipe Arapasowu I Oranyan – 1999-2007
- Oba Samuel Odulana Olugade I- 2007–2016
- Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji – 2016–2022
- Oba Lekan Balogun – 2022–2024
- Oba Owolabi Olakulehin – 2024– 2025
- Oba Rashidi Ladoja – 2025 –
