Oyo Govt Sets Sept 26 for Ladoja’s Olubadan Coronation

The announcement was made in a statement by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, as reported by The Nation.

Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, is next in line to ascend the throne under Ibadan’s traditional chieftaincy system, which rotates between the civilian (Egbe Agba) and military (Balogun) lines. 

The coronation, to be held at the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, follows the completion of traditional rites and a 21-day mourning period for the late Oba Olakulehin, who reigned for one year.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who must approve the coronation as per tradition, congratulated Ladoja and urged him to leverage his experience as a seasoned politician and administrator to foster unity and development in Ibadanland. 

“High Chief Ladoja’s ascension is a testament to the enduring predictability and orderliness of Ibadan’s chieftaincy system. We look forward to a reign that advances our cultural heritage and progress,” Makinde said, according to the statement.

The coronation is expected to draw dignitaries, traditional rulers, and Ibadan indigenes, with security arrangements led by Oyo State Police Commissioner Johnson Adenola to ensure a peaceful event. 

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) also expressed support, describing Ladoja as a unifying figure whose leadership will build on the legacies of his predecessors.

Ladoja, a prominent figure in Oyo politics, has climbed the chieftaincy ladder since becoming the Mogaji of his compound in 1983, culminating in his role as Otun Olubadan. 

His ascension follows the traditional progression outlined in the 2017 Oyo State Government White Paper, which reduced the steps to the Olubadan throne to 11 for the civilian line.