The Olubadan is the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadanland, and the current Olubadan is Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, crowned the 44th Olubadan on 26 September 2025. Unlike many Yoruba thrones that pass through one royal house, the Olubadan stool is reached by rising through a ladder of chieftaincy titles. This guide explains the role, how the succession works and what happened in 2025.
What is the Olubadan?
Olubadan means “owner of Ibadan”. The Olubadan sits at the head of the Olubadan-in-Council, the body of senior chiefs that governs the traditional affairs of Ibadan. Ibadan grew from a 19th-century war camp into one of the largest Yoruba cities, a story told in our history of Ibadan. To see how the Olubadan compares with other rulers, read Yoruba chieftaincy titles explained.
How is the Olubadan chosen?
The Olubadan is not usually chosen from a single ruling family. Under the long-standing Ibadan system, chiefs are promoted step by step through a ladder of titles, and the throne alternates between two chieftaincy lines, commonly called the Otun and Balogun lines. In simple terms, seniority decides who is next, and the senior-most chief in the line whose turn it is becomes the Olubadan.
When a stool falls vacant, the Olubadan-in-Council nominates the successor, and the nomination is then taken forward through the Oyo State government. The details of this process have been debated in the past, so readers should rely on current official statements for any specific case.
What happened in 2025
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 July 2025 | Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, dies at 90, about 15 months after taking the throne. |
| August 2025 | After a 21-day mourning period, the Olubadan-in-Council, led by Balogun Olubadan Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, unanimously nominates Rashidi Ladoja. |
| 26 September 2025 | Ladoja is crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. |
Who is the current Olubadan?
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is the current Olubadan. Before becoming Olubadan he served as governor of Oyo State, from 2003 to 2007 by the ICIR’s account. In January 2026 he made his first official State House visit as Olubadan, when President Bola Tinubu received him in Abuja, as TVC News reported.
Olubadan, Ooni, Alaafin and Awujale: how they differ
Each of these titles belongs to a different city and has its own history. Read about the Ooni of Ife, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Awujale stool, and see how they relate in our guide to the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity.
Frequently asked questions
What does Olubadan mean?
It means “owner of Ibadan”, the title of the paramount ruler of Ibadanland.
Who was the Olubadan before Ladoja?
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, who died on 7 July 2025.
Is the Olubadan throne hereditary?
Not in the usual sense. Succession follows promotion through chieftaincy ranks and rotation between two lines rather than inheritance within one family.
Spellings of the Olubadan’s first name vary in the press (Rashidi or Rasheed), and succession details can change, so check official announcements for the latest.
