During his coronation ceremony on September 26, 2025, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, made a bold public appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to grant Ibadan the status of a separate state. The monarch insisted that creation of “Ibadan State” should be a priority and must materialize before the year 2027.
Speaking shortly after receiving the Staff of Office from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Oba Ladoja delivered the message in Yoruba. “My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority,” he declared to the assembled dignitaries and guests.
The monarch’s plea comes amidst long-standing calls from some Ibadan indigenes for a restructuring of Oyo State, believing that a separate state would better address local development, governance, and identity issues.
Governor Makinde, in his remarks during the ceremony, described Oba Ladoja’s elevation as a source of pride for Ibadan. He reaffirmed his support for the monarch’s vision, expressing hope that the reign will usher in peace, unity, and progress for Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.
Observers note that the appeal, made at such a high-profile event, sends a strong message — the question of Ibadan’s identity and administrative autonomy may now become a political issue to watch in the lead-up to 2027.
