The ancient city of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is immersed in a celebratory atmosphere as it prepares for the coronation of its 44th Olubadan, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Ladoja. The city’s mood is evident to any visitor, with large billboards strategically placed by prominent indigenes and politicians extending congratulations to the former governor on his ascension to his forefathers’ throne. Furthermore, various Aso Ebi fabrics have been acquired to mark this historic occasion.

The organizers, comprising two committees – one established by the state government and the other by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) – have unveiled a comprehensive eight-day schedule of events. Stretching from Monday, September 22, to Saturday, October 4, this timeline reflects the profound spiritual depth and cultural richness of Ibadanland's traditional heritage. The celebrations are set to commence with a special inter-religious prayer session at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo. Later that day, the cultural focus will be on ARUSA, a command performance stage play dramatizing the lineage and legacy of Ibadan kingship. Tuesday will feature a special coronation cultural fiesta at the Olubadan Stadium, showcasing music, dance, and artistry. On Wednesday, the first Coronation Lecture will be delivered by renowned historian Prof. Toyin Falola at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan, contextualizing the significance of the Olubadan throne within Yoruba and African history. Day four, marking Kabiyesi’s Birthday, will begin with a special Islamic prayer session at the Olubadan House, Oke Aremo, followed by a mega praise and worship concert. The pinnacle of these historic celebrations, Coronation Day, unfolds on day five at Mapo Hall, where Oba Ladoja will be officially crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. This event is expected to attract dignitaries, traditional rulers, and political leaders from across Nigeria and beyond, with a grand reception following at the historic Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, promising pageantry and cultural splendor. Additional activities include a Christian Thanksgiving service on Day Six at The Cathedral Church of The Ascension, New Bodija, Ibadan, succeeded by a civic reception at Ibadan Civic Centre. Day Seven will feature a special Jumat service at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba, bringing the Muslim community together in thanksgiving prayers. The celebrations will conclude with a traditional thanksgiving Isese ceremony at Osemeji, Oja’ba, on Saturday, October 4, paying homage to the deep-rooted customs and ancestral heritage of the ancient city.

The Olubadan stool, established in the 19th century as the supreme leadership position in Ibadan, is characterized by a unique merit-based rotational succession system. Unlike hereditary rule, it alternates between the civil (Otun) and military (Balogun) chieftaincy lines, ensuring that experienced leaders from any social class can ascend through the chieftaincy ladder to the Olubadan title. This system symbolizes Ibadan’s cultural unity, continuity, and rich traditions as the paramount ruler. Importantly, when an Olubadan passes, the vacancy is filled by the most senior chief from the next line in the rotational order.

While this unique rotational succession system has been lauded across Yorubaland, it has faced controversies in recent years. The first significant dispute arose during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who elevated members of the Olubadan-in-Council to monarchs with crowns. This action was opposed by the then Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the Olubadan-designate (then Osi Olubadan), who took the late governor to court. The controversy continued under the incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde, who reinvented the same law and re-crowned the monarchs. Oba Ladoja, after Oba Adetunji's death, initially remained a lone voice in opposition. He famously stated, “I only want to adorn one crown and that is the Olubadan crown. My journey on the Olubadan line is not about politics. It is a matter of tradition, identity, and service,” emphasizing that the city’s chieftaincy system must not be politicized or commercialized. He maintained that “Ibadan does not need multiple kings” and underscored the hierarchical order, allowing a Mogaji to eventually become Olubadan, as one of the city’s most democratic and egalitarian legacies.

However, a new gazette published by the state government at the coronation of the late 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on July 12, 2024, mandated all Ibadan High Chiefs to accept obaship before their eventual promotion. Section 4 of this amendment, titled “New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration,” replaced “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line.” Sensing potential future obstacles, Ibadan elders intervened, meeting with Ladoja and prevailing upon him to accept the beaded crown. In August 2024, Oba Ladoja announced on a radio program his readiness to accept the beaded crown, citing pressure from various Ibadan indigenes and non-indigenes to facilitate his ascension to the throne when the time came. He stated, “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. God has been merciful to me. My blood pressure has been stable. Anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan. No matter the obstacles placed in their way. I’m ready to accept Ibadan’s ceremonial beaded crown if it’s the wish of God and the good people of Ibadanland. Only God knows who becomes Olubadan. I know by the special grace of God, I will become Olubadan.” Consequently, on August 12, 2024, in his first official duty after his own coronation, the late Oba Olakulehin crowned Senator Ladoja as an Ibadan Oba.

Oba Ladoja’s distinguished career also includes a significant political background. He was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in 1993 on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform during the short-lived third republic. In the current political dispensation, he served as governor of Oyo State from May 29, 2003, after winning on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, defeating incumbent Governor Lam Adesina with the backing of PDP power broker Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. A fierce struggle for political control between Ladoja and Adedibu ensued by August 2004, leading to Ladoja's impeachment by the state House of Assembly on January 12, 2006, and his deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, being sworn in. However, the Appeal Court in Ibadan declared the impeachment null and illegal on November 1, 2006, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court on December 11, 2006. Ladoja was reinstated on December 12, 2006. He failed to secure the PDP nomination for a second term and subsequently backed Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the All Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, in the 2007 election, who ultimately lost to Alao-Akala. His attempts to return to Agodi Government House were unsuccessful in 2011 and 2015 as the governorship candidate for the Accord Party. In 2017, Oba Ladoja merged Accord into the PDP, later moving to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2018, and then to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in December 2018. Following the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections, Ladoja led the coalition that supported Governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP. Political observers believe that as a former Governor and Senator, Oba Ladoja holds considerable influence in Oyo State's political landscape, given his past roles in shaping its political direction.

The eight-day celebrations are anticipated to significantly boost Ibadan's economy. Most hotels in the city are fully booked for the large contingents of dignitaries, and petty traders are expected to thrive at all event venues. Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and an Ibadan indigene, lauded Oba Ladoja's ascension, expressing optimism for unprecedented peace and development in Ibadanland under his reign.