Ibadan is bracing for one of its most significant cultural events in years as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirms attendance at the coronation of Senator Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The ceremony, billed for Friday, September 26, at Mapo Hall, has already transformed the city into a hive of security and celebration.
This coronation comes barely two months after the passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died on July 7, 2025. In line with the revered Ibadan succession system, Ladoja, a former Oyo State Governor and Senator, ascends the ancient throne. His crowning is being marked with a week-long programme including interfaith prayers, cultural showcases, a lecture by historian Prof. Toyin Falola, and a thanksgiving service.
But Friday is the main event, and all eyes are fixed on Mapo Hall. Lens News gathered that not just Tinubu but also Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, monarchs from across Yorubaland, captains of industry, and top politicians nationwide will storm Ibadan for the spectacle. Hotels across the city are fully booked, with locals describing the atmosphere as a mix of excitement and tension.
Security has been ramped up, with more than 2,000 personnel deployed from the Police, DSS, Amotekun Corps, and NSCDC to guard venues, motorcades, and major entry points into the city. “This is not just a traditional event—it’s national,” a security source told reporters, stressing that nothing would be left to chance.
For Ibadan indigenes, the day is more than just politics and fanfare. It is about continuity and heritage. “The Olubadan stool has always been a unifying force. Having someone like Ladoja, who understands both governance and tradition, makes this coronation unique,” one resident said, echoing the sentiment of many.
As the countdown narrows, anticipation continues to build. Will Tinubu’s presence signal more than just respect for tradition? For some observers, his attendance could carry subtle political undertones ahead of 2027. But for the people of Ibadan, the coronation is, above all, the day their city reclaims the spotlight of history.
