…Who We Hardly Write About
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Why Oba RASHIDI LADOJA Doesn’t Joke With Them
Every society has a set of people classified as elder statesmen. And Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is no different.
These are men whose actions and opinions shape and contribute to the development of a society, in one way or another across different facets of life.
In fact, the ancient city of Ibadan, known to be the abode of powerful warlords of yesteryears, has them in abundance.
They are men with great achievements in their various chosen careers but are rarely talked about or celebrated.
We are talking about influncial figures in business, education, politics, and social sectors, and beyond.
Some are no longer with us. But a significant number of these influential Ibadan elders continue to thrive, making positive impacts and contributing immensely to the socio-economic development of the city.
At the last coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu, as the new Olubadan of Ibadan, these grand old men of Ibadan stepped out to honour him.
The ancient city of Ibadanland has a lot of these respected old men who are still very relevant in the scheme of things in the city.
The Coronation Planning Committee was headed by Chief Mustafa Adebayo Oyero as Chairman. He is the Aare Mayegun of Ibadanland.
There are many other elders like of Chief Kola Daisi CON, a 93-year-old corporate titan and founder of Kola-Daisi University, as well as Basorun of Ibadanland; Chief Bode Amao, a foremost industrialist and the Asiwaju of Ibadanland, as well as former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) who is also in his 90s; Chief Bayo Oyero, one of the most celebrated alumnus of the University of Ibadan, and former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII). At 83, Chief Oyero is still contributing meaningfully to the development of his immediate environment.
What about the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja? He is 81 and has remained a great icon in business, politics and traditional sectors in Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Also we have Prof. K.k. Oloso, a popular cleric and respected Islamic scholar who is now 81 years of age; Oba Kola Adegbola, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Biodun Azeez, the Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland; Osi Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olubunmi Isioye, and the Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin.
We also have the likes of Chief Nureni Akanbi, the Iba Oluyole, who has remained prominent as a political figure and a community leader at 81; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakr Agbotomokekere, who is well respected in the Islamic community; the 86-year-old Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland and Chairman Splash FM, Oba Adebayo Akande; the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole (Foko); the Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, and the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Salawudeen Ajibade.
Not forgetting the foremost media entrepreneur and philanthropist and Chairman of Murhi International Television, Alhaji Murhi Gbadeyanka Busari, who has remained a force in business, Islamic and social circles.
Also worthy of mentioning is the former Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, popularly known as Tokyo.
Then we have the Ibadan grand old men in their early and late 70s. And in this category are the likes of a retired 78-year-old military icon and former governor of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States, Brigadier General Raji Rasaki (Rtd); a PR expert and cultural icon and the Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Alabi; a reputable international businessman, Kase Lukman Lawal, and Chief Isaac Jolapamo of MORLAP Group of companies, a shipping magnate who also prides himself as pioneer Chairman of the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) now Ship Owners Association of Nigeria.
These grand old men of Ibadan, both past and present, embody the spirit of leadership, achievement, and community development, leaving an indelible mark on the ancient city and beyond.
Let’s tell you that the Olubadan of Ibadanland has an Advisory Council which also constitutes the Kingmakers upon the demise of a reigning Olubadan. They are elderly people. The Coronation Brochure revealed many of them.
The Council meets weekly to consider issues of tradition, customary and lesser chieftaincy matters. The Council operates on the basis of consensus, but the Olubadan has the final say. There are 2 lineages. These are the OTUN Line and the BALOGUN Line.
(1) OTUN LINE
Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Iyalode of Ibadanland.
(2) BALOGUN LINE
Balogun of Ibadanland, Otun Balogun of Ibdanland, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland.
Ascension on either lines, requires the recognition by the Mogaji of his homestead (Idile) or compound (Agbo-lle). Thereafter, subject to vacancy, good report and good standing among the kingmakers of Ibadan as listed above and the Olubadan, the candidate will be promoted on his chosen chieftaincy line until he reaches the pinnacle of ascending the 23 steps with alternating chances.
Records show that it took the late Olubadan, Oba Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe, Arapasowul a total of 35 years from being Jagun Balogun in 1964 to become the Olubadan in 1999. The Olubadan in 1972. Oba Saliu Oladupe Adetunji Ogungunniso started the journey as Jagun late Olubadan, Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana, Odugade I started the journey as Jagun Balogun in 1978. Oba Yesufu Kobiowu (under 60 years of age) was the only exception, who unfortunately reigned for only 6 months in 1964. Most Olubadans are about 80 years on or before their ascension to the throne.
LIST OF IBADAN TRADITIONAL CHIEFS
OTUN LINE AS AT SEPTEMBER 2025
(Vacant) Otun Olubadan Of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole – Osi Olubadan Of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi – Asipa Olubadan Of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Hamidu Ajibade – Ekerin Olubadan Of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Adebayo Akande – Ekarun Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Kola Babalola SAN – Abese Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Rasheed Olalekan Alabi – Maye Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Ismaila Kilanko Fijabi – Ekefa Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Saka Fola Lapade – Agbaaakin Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Senator Teslim Folarin – Aare Alasa Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Muibi Ademola Adewuyi – Ikolaba Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Raufu Delesolu – Asaju Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Hammed Adetunji Lanihun – Ayingun Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Dauda Kolawole Gbadamosi – Aare Ago Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Williams Oyeleke Akande Oyekola – Aare Ago Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Oluyinka Akande – Oota Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Olufemi Olukorede Ogunwale – Aregbe Omo Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Wasiu Aderoju Ajibadae Olasunkanmi – Gbonka Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief (Barr.) Olumuyiwa Makinde – Aare Onibon Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Suraju Abiola Iyiola – Bada Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief (Engr) Dotun Sanusi – Ajia Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Chief Akin Alabi – Jagun Olubadan Of Ibadanland.
LIST OF IBADAN TRADITIONAL CHIEFS
BALOGUN LINE AS AT SEPTEMBER 2025
HRM Oba Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola – Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba (Dr.) Kola Adegbola – Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba John Olubunmi Isioye Dada – Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Abiodun Azeez Agagagugu – Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chiel Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin – Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief (Barr.) Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli – Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Samuel Adegboyega Adediran – Abese Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Taiwo Anthony Adebayo Oyekan – Maye Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Raufu Amusa Eleruwere – Ekefa Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Emiola Onideure – Agbaakin Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Tirimisiyu Arowolo Obisesan – Aare Alaasa Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Wasiu Delodun Adegboyega Ajmobi – Ikolaba Balogun of Ibadaniand, Senior Chiet Mikail Gboyega Olawoyin Arogunmodi – Asaaju Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Babajide Taofeek Ayoade – Ayingun Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Adetokunbo Akintola – Aare Ago Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Nureni Adebayo Akanbi – Lagunna Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Kayode Atolabi Kadelu – Oota Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adegboyegba Taofeek Adegoke – Aare-Egbe Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Monsor Abiola Olatunji Arulogun – Gbonka Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Taiwo Ige Akande-Odunlami – Aare Onibon Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Remi Ibrahim Babalola-Ogidi – Bada Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adenrele Lekan Salami – Ajia Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adewale Abass Kadri – Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland.
LIST OF IBADAN TRADITIONAL CHIEF IYALODE LINE
High Chief (Mrs.) Teresa L. Oyekanmi – Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Amudalat Adekunle – Otun Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Taye Soyege Balogun – Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Yewande Durosaro – Osi Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mirs.) Onikepo Akande – Iyalaje lyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) P.O. Kuye – Asipa Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Kudiral lyabo Adeleke – Ekerin Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Alhaja Wosilat Ajoke – Ekarun-un Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Mojisola Oyebola – Abese Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja – Maye Iyalode of badanland, Chief (Mrs.) Mojisola Ladipo – Ekefa Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Rasheedat Olanrewaju – Agbaakin Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Rasheedat Ololade Adeturji – Aare Alaasa Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Folake Olunloyo – Ikolaba lyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Jadesola Adisa Osodi – Asaaju Iyalode of Ibadanland Chief (Mrs.) Jumoke Akinjide – Ayingun lyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Aramide Bolupe Aminat – Aare Ago Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Basirat Sijuwade Obisesan – Lagunna Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Adegoke Yetunde Remilekun – Oota Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Alhaja Tawakalitu Sharafadeen Alli – Aregbe Omo lyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Ibidun Idayat Samba – Gbonka lyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Alhaja Basirat Olaide Ajibola – Aare Onibon Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Folake Akande – Bada Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Dr. Alaga Ayo Monsurat – Ajia Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief (Mrs.) Kubrat Onibiyi-Scot – Jagun Iyalode of Ibadanland.
-Dare Adeniran
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