Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was born on 25 September 1944 in Gambari village, near Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria.
He attended Ibadan Boys’ High School from 1958 to 1963 and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, from 1964 to 1965.
He later studied at the University of Liège in Belgium, where he obtained a degree in Chemical Engineering.
Before ascending the throne, he worked in the oil industry and later expanded into private business, engaging in manufacturing and banking. These details are broadly confirmed, though the exact companies and dates have not been independently verified.
He is married to Alhaja Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja and has several children, including Kamorudeen, Bashirat, Omotola, Adetokunbo, Azeez and Rasheed. The existence of his family is well documented, but individual names lack direct public verification and should therefore be treated as probable.
Political Career
Ladoja’s political path is well documented. He served as Senator for Oyo South during Nigeria’s Third Republic in 1993.
In 2003, he contested and won the Oyo State gubernatorial election on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
His tenure as governor and the controversies surrounding his impeachment and reinstatement are part of public record, though this article focuses primarily on his later traditional role rather than the detailed political disputes.
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Traditional Title and Coronation
On 26 September 2025, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was officially crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland after completion of the traditional rites.
The throne became vacant following the death of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on 7 July 2025. The ascension followed the distinctive Ibadan chieftaincy system, in which succession alternates between the Otun and Balogun lines.
Governor Seyi Makinde approved Ladoja’s nomination earlier in August 2025 before the coronation took place in September. The event drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, symbolizing both political reconciliation and cultural continuity.
Age and Current Status
Born on 25 September 1944, Oba Ladoja turned 81 one day before his coronation. His reign began on 26 September 2025, and as of the most recent verified reports, he is alive and performing his royal duties.
Legacy
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s journey from engineer to governor to monarch reflects a lifetime of service to Ibadan and Oyo State. His coronation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland demonstrates the endurance of Ibadan’s inclusive succession system, which blends modern leadership with ancient tradition.
While nearly all of his educational, political, and coronation details are verifiable through reputable sources, some family and business references remain incomplete. Further official documentation could raise the reliability rating above 95 percent.
Author’s Note
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s story is more than a record of political success or royal inheritance. It is a portrait of resilience, balance, and destiny fulfilled. His life embodies the Yoruba principle that “Iwa l’ewa”, character is beauty. From his engineering discipline to his political battles and eventual kingship, Ladoja’s journey reminds readers that leadership is not about titles but about steady service to one’s people. His rise to the throne of Ibadan stands as a symbol of harmony between tradition and progress, a timeless lesson for all who believe in purposeful living and patient destiny.
References
Ex-Oyo Gov Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan, Vanguard News, 26 September 2025.
Official: Ladoja Crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, TVC News, 26 September 2025.
Rashidi Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Punch Newspapers, 27 September 2025.
