The Coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I

By Prince Adeyemi Aseperi-Shonibare

INTRODUCTION

History is a master storyteller. On 25 September 1944, Ibadan welcomed a son. Eighty-one years later, in 2025, that son—Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja—ascended the throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. Born in 1944, crowned the 44th. Destiny had been whispering this symmetry from the very beginning.

An engineer of precision, trained at the University of Liège, Belgium. An oil executive with Total Nigeria Plc, whose business empire spread across petroleum, banking, agriculture, real estate, and shipping. A former Governor of Oyo State (2003–2007) and respected Senator of the Federal Republic. A reconciler of men, a bridge-builder of politics, a man of patience and perseverance. Now he reigns, with the dignity of a crown awaited for 32 long years on the chieftaincy ladder.

At his side, a friend and ally of decades—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—who once shared the oil trade and later the rough-and-tumble of Nigerian politics. Today, their partnership brings promise: when royal stool and federal throne align, development will surely follow.

THE HISTORY OF IBADAN AND THE OLUBADAN STOOL

Ibadan’s history is a saga of courage and survival. Founded by Lagelu, the valiant warrior, the city rose from the ashes of Old Oyo’s collapse. By the 1820s, Ibadan had become a warrior republic: its Baales, chosen by merit not blood, led men into legendary battles—the Osogbo War of 1840, the Jalumi War of 1878, the Kiriji War (1877–1893).

At first, rulers bore the humble title of Baale. By the 20th century, Ibadan had grown too great for a lesser title. In 1930, the stool was elevated, birthing the modern Olubadan.

What makes Ibadan unique is its succession system. Two ladders—the Otun Olubadan (civil) and the Balogun (military)—move step by step, strictly by seniority. There are no coups, no shortcuts. Every chief knows his time will come—if he lives long enough. The Olubadan stool is not a prize of power but a crown of patience.

And so it was that Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, waited patiently for 32 years, moving with quiet dignity until destiny opened the door.

ORÍKÌ ÌBÀDÀN

“Ìbàdàn mesi ọ́gọ́, nílé Olúyọ̀lé
Ilú Ogunmólá, Olódògbo kèri l’ojú ogun
Ilú Ìbíkúnlè alágbála jaya-jaya
Ilú Ájàyí, ó gborí Ẹ̀fọn se fìlafìlà
Ìbàdàn ọmọ ajòrò sùn
Ọmọ a jẹ́ ìgbín, yóò fí ikarahun fò rí mú
Ìbàdàn májà-májà bí tokọ́ kin-í-ni
Ẹ̀yí tó ja aládùúgbò gbogbo lógun
Ìbàdàn kì í bá ní ṣòrẹ́
Aí mú ní lo s’ogun — Ìbàdàn kúré!
Ìbàdàn béèrè kì ó tó wò ó
B’Ìbàdàn ti ń gbón ilé béẹ̀ ló ń gba àjọ́jí.”

Ibadan, city of glory, home of Oluyole; land of Ogunmola and Ibikunle the protector; Ajayi’s city of triumph; the child of destiny, the fearless warrior, the wise counsellor—Ibadan, eternal and enduring.

ORÍKÌ OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY
“Ọmọ Ladoja aláwàdà
Ọmọ aláṣọ́ àtọ́rẹ́
Ọmọ tí ń gbé ọ̀rí gíga
Ọmọ tí orí rẹ̀ kì í bálẹ̀
Ọmọ tí kì í fi ìgbésẹ̀ sílẹ̀
Ọmọ tí ìrọ́ àṣẹ rẹ̀ ń sọ̀rọ̀
Arusa I, Olúbàdàn ọmọ ọlọ́lá
Kabiyesi onítẹ̀sí, ọmọ Ajòrò kì í sùn.”

Child of Ladoja, noble and cheerful; one who wears dignity and raises his head high; crown that never bows; voice that commands respect; Arusa I, steadfast king of noble patience.

PROFILE OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY

Name: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I
Born: 25 September 1944
Education: Ibadan Boys’ High School; Olivet Baptist High School; Chemical Engineering, University of Liège, Belgium

Career: Senior executive at Total Nigeria Plc; founder of businesses in oil, banking, shipping, agriculture, real estate

Politics: Governor of Oyo State (2003–2007); Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Qualities: Humility, patience, reconciliation, international reach

Crown: Ascended as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, 2025

THE BALES AND OLUBADANS OF IBADAN (1–44)

1. Lagelu (Founder, early 1800s)
2. Baale Maye Okunade (c.1820–1826)
3. Baale Oluyedun Labosinde (c.1826–1830)
4. Baale Lakanle (c.1830–1835)
5. Basorun Oluyole (c.1835–1850)
6. Baale Oderinlo Opeagbe (c.1850–1851)
7. Baale Oyesile Olugbode (1851–1864)
8. Baale Ibikunle (1864–1865)
9. Basorun Ogunmola (1865–1867)
10. Balogun Beyioku Akere (1867–1870)
11. Baale Orowusi Kobomoje (1870–1871)
12. Aare Obadoke Latoosa (1871–1885)
13. Balogun Ajayi Osungbekun (1885–1893)
14. Baale Fijabi I (1893–1895)
15. Baale Osuntoki (1895–1897)
16. Basorun Fajimi Yerombi (1897–1902)
17. Baale Mosaderin Sunlehinmi (1902–1904)
18. Baale Dada Opadare (1904–1907)
19. Basorun Sumonu Apanpa (1907–1910)
20. Baale Akintayo Awanibaku (1910–1912)
21. Baale Irefin (1912–1914)
22. Baale Shittu Latoosa (1914–1925)
23. Baale Oyewole Aiyejenku (1925–1930) — last Baale before Olubadan title
24. Oba Okunola Abass Alesinloye (1930–1946)
25. Oba Fagbinrin Akere II (1946)
26. Oba Oyetunde I (1946)
27. Oba Akintunde Bioku (1947–1948)
28. Oba Fijabi II (1948–1952)
29. Oba Memudu Alli (1952)
30. Oba Igbintade Apete (1952–1955)
31. Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele (1955–1964)
32. Oba Yesufu Kobiowu (1964)
33. Oba Salawu Akanbi Aminu (1965–1971)
34. Oba Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II (1971–1976)
35. Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe (1976–1977)
36. Oba Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi (1977–1982)
37. Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike I (1983–1993)
38. Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde I (1994–1999)
39. Oba Yinusa B. Ogundipe Arapasowu I (1999–2007)
40. Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I (2007–2016)
41. Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso I) (2016–2022)
42. Oba Lekan Balogun (Alli Okunmade II) (2022–2024)
43. Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (2024–2025)
44. His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I (2025– )

THE CORONATION — SCINTILLATING AND RESPLENDENT

Mapo Hall glittered in regal splendour. The drums thundered, bata dancers spun in ecstasy, praise-singers hailed with booming oríkìs. The city was a canvas of aso-oke in resplendent shades—royal blue, emerald, crimson, gold. Necklaces of coral and beads glistened, velvet crowns sparkled, shoes of Italian leather shone in the sun.

It was a gathering of Nigeria’s finest. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived aboard the Boeing Business Jet 737, the largest presidential aircraft to ever land at Ibadan Airport, newly expanded and upgraded under Governor Seyi Makinde’s visionary leadership. That single landing proved Ibadan’s airfield could handle the biggest of domestic flights.

And yet, one truth was whispered by all: “Oyo still needs a 5-star hotel worthy of such occasions.”

THE ROLE OF GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, was the chief host and crowning authority. Resplendent in flowing agbada, he was every inch the statesman. It is a rare destiny: to crown two paramount rulers in a single year. Only months earlier, he had crowned the Ikubabayeye of the Oyo Empire, the new Olunloyo. And now, he placed the crown upon the head of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. A double honour, a record in history, and a blessing upon his governorship.

Seyi Makinde left no stone unturned. Security was airtight, hospitality flawless, cultural displays dazzling. He proved himself not only as governor but as the pride of Oyo State.

PAGEANTRY AND PRESENCE

The coronation was not just a Yoruba affair—it was Nigeria in miniature. Governors, senators, captains of industry, traditional rulers from across Yorubaland, the North and the East, international envoys, and Ibadan’s sons and daughters from the diaspora. The who’s who arrived in convoys of black SUVs, Mercedes Maybachs, Range Rovers, Rolls-Royces. Private jets lined the Ibadan runway.

Market women in gele of pink and gold sang. University dons in academic gowns gave tribute. Billionaires in agbada embroidered with diamonds whispered prayers. All of Ibadan stood united.

WHAT ARUSA I BRINGS TO THE THRONE

The discipline of an engineer

The reach of an oil magnate

The wisdom of a governor

The humility of a reconciler

The patience of 32 years of waiting
With his alliance with President Tinubu, and the loyalty of Governor Makinde, Ibadan can expect peace, progress, and prosperity.

A KING OF PATIENCE

The Olubadan stool is the throne of patience. Only those who wait, endure, and persevere ascend. Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja waited 32 years, watching, learning, preparing. Now crowned, his story is proof: greatness in Ibadan is never seized, it is awaited.

PRAYER FOR THE REIGN

Kabiyesi o!
Káde pé lórí, kí bàtà pé lẹ́sẹ̀, kí àṣẹ pé l’énu.
May the reign of Arusa I be long, peaceful, and glorious.
May Ibadan prosper, may Oyo flourish, may Yorubaland rise.
And may the Olubadan crown forever shine.