Whatever he happened to, he defined it. He would not take the back seat. Exemplars: After serving Total Nigeria for 13 years. He ventured into private business in 1985. He saw and conquered.
He came clean as a shrewd businessman. That spurred him on; active and agile. He dared the turbulent waters of Nigeria’s weird politics. Undeterred. Again, he saw and conquered. He dazzled both friends and foes.
His detractors were particularly bewildered. They melted and became his prey. They ended up being victims of their own deadly manipulations. Till date, he keeps soaring like an eagle, conquering new territories.
He enjoys an uncommon position in our political history. He was governor, Oyo State, twice but for one term. From 2003 to 2006 and from 2006 to 2007. That’s peculiar but not a peculiar mess. It was simply phenomenal.
Far earlier than that. He attempted a good shot at the traditional institution. That paid off handsomely. In 1992, he was installed Mogaji, Ladoja Family, Arusa’s Compound, Isale Osi, Ibadan.
The real milestone came barely a year after. On October 1, 1993, he was promoted Jagun Olubadan. That day, he began his tortious ascension trip. It was with the speed of light.
Since then, just like before. There’s no stopping him: Seeing and conquering all the way. Today, he’s more than a conqueror! That’s the lifetime story of Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland-designate. Quite chequered, isn’t it?
The last part of the 23-year-voyage has been specifically hectic. It was made intentionally rough and heavily potholed. Of course, all for the wrong reasons. That era has been swept clean. Dumped into history. Never to rear its ugly head again.
The revered Olubadan-in-Council promptly fell in line. It brushed all the filth aside. And did the needful on Monday, August 4, 2025. The kingmakers nominated Oba Ladoja as the sole candidate for the Olubadan stool.
Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, did the nomination; seconded by Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole: “When one king transits, another one is enthroned. It is in line with the tradition of Ibadanland that we are holding this meeting today (Monday).”
And with a word of finality: “It is on this premise that I, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Balogun of Ibadanland, nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. We have all signed and nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
That way, it was signed, sealed and delivered. The tempo instantly surged. The equation can’t hold itself down. Things are rapidly falling into pleasant places for Oba Ladoja.
Exactly two weeks later, Monday, August 18, 2025. He made a triumphant entry into Ibadan. His first public appearance since the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. Ibadan lost him on July 7, 2025.
Governor Seyi Makinde was quick to add colour to it. He capped it up Wednesday, August 20, 2025. It was a swift one. He not only visited the Olubadan-designate. He accorded him full and express approval.
Even more, Friday, September 26, 2025, is coronation day. The grand finale, so to speak. It is an honour Oba Ladoja had longed for. He will be 81 a day earlier, on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Oba Ladoja has come this far. The event that cleared the coast for this season was rapid. Almost in a jiffy. He had consistently resisted accepting any crown than Olubadan’s. He was at loggerheads with the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He refused to yield ground.
Makinde inherited the mess. Somehow, he was able to manage the situation to some extent. His was not as volatile as Ajimobi’s. Back and forth. Came light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Oba Ladoja dramatically succumbed to the people’s will. Ibadan shook to its foundation that Sunday morning. He thereafter received a ceremonial beaded crown from his predecessor, Oba Olakulehin, in August 2024. It was memorable as well.
Oba Ladoja reads between the lines. Nothing escapes his sharp and sensitive eyes. What a deep thinker! He spotted correctly an intriguing coincidence coming at this time.
He was reported to have quipped Makinde: “He said his installation process was coincidental in the sense that he was born in 1944 and would be enthroned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.” Indeed, fascinating!
Oba Ladoja has a tall Herculean task at hand. Very intimidating. Certainly, he is very much aware of this obvious reality. And he’s not feigning ignorance of it. Neither is he running away from it. Instead, he’s throwing himself into it wholeheartedly.
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Ibadan is in great anticipation. Much is expected from the incoming monarch. The people are extremely anxious. And for glaring good reasons. Ibadanland waits with bated breath.
Not to worry. He did it so well in business. He excelled as governor. He displayed uncanny guts where others trembled. He never gave up. He never caved in. He rather scaled all hurdles. And dismantled all land mines on his paths.
That way, God made his crooked ways for him straight. He was triumphant, to the amazement of his adversaries. He literally walked over them. He is carrying his varied and rich experiences into the sacred traditional institution. What a huge plus!
He flaunts this track record to whoever cares and cherishes honesty. He once told me: “Throughout my tenure as governor. I never added a block to my house. I never built or acquired new properties while in government.”
Excerpts from my column, Daily Sun, Thursday, September 26, 2024. It’s a useful glimpse into the past. Where the Oba is coming from. And a pointer to the future:
“Ladoja came to Nigeria through Gambari, Ibadan, on September 25, 1944. His mother had followed his paternal grandmother to Gambari on a trade mission. They returned home to Ibadan three months after his birth.
“Was Ladoja the ‘Abiku’ who was ‘coming and going these several seasons’ in J P Clark’s poem of the same title, ‘Abiku’? His response in Daily Sun interview, September 25, 2024:
‘My mother told me that being the first child, after the late one because we Yoruba believe that there is stillbirth. One Rashidi was born on September 23, 1943 and died a day after the naming ceremony. May be, that was why she wanted me to be born outside Ibadan, I don’t know.’
“He attended Ibadan Boys High School, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, from 1958 to 1963. He did his HSC (A’ Level) at Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo from 1964 to 1965. He proceeded to the University of Liège, Belgium, to earn a degree in Chemical Engineering.
“His business interests include but not limited to shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture and transportation.”
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has seen, conquered and still conquering. May your reign be peaceful, long and prosperous in all facets of life.
God be with you, Kabiyesi!
