In Ibadanland, the road to the throne of Olubadan is not one of shortcuts or family inheritance—it’s a journey of decades, guided by tradition, seniority, and patience. If you’ve ever wondered why Olubadans are usually elderly men, the answer lies not in some royal decree – but in the very structure of Ibadan’s respected chieftaincy system.

So, how long does it really take to become the Olubadan of Ibadan?
Let’s take a deep dive.

👑 Are Only Old Men Allowed to Be Olubadan?

Not at all. There is no age requirement in Ibadan’s royal succession system. However, in practice, most who attain the throne are already in their late 70s or older. Why?
Because of a tradition that values order, protocol, and peace—a system where ascension is by seniority, not family ties or political connection.

Rasheed Ladoja: Meet the New Olubadan of Ibadan

📜 A Brief Look at Recent Olubadans

The last decade alone has seen five Olubadans, each with their unique story, but one thing in common: long years of waiting.

Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I (Lana)

Crowned at age 92

Reigned for 9 years (2007–2016)

Oba Saliu Adetunji

Crowned in 2016 at age 87

Passed on in January 2022 at age 93

Oba Lekan Balogun

Installed in March 2022 at age 79

Died in March 2024

Oba Akinloye Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin I)

Crowned at 89

Passed away two days after his 90th birthday, just five days before his first anniversary

Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja (incoming)

Former governor of Oyo State

Expected to ascend the throne before his 81st birthday

These examples show that while age is a factor, it is a byproduct of the system, not the rule.

⚔️ A Legacy Born from Military Roots

To understand the structure, we must look back at Ibadan’s history.
Ibadan began as a military camp—a city founded by warriors. In those early days, leadership rotated between:

The Balogun line (active war generals)

The Baale line (civil administrators, often retired warriors)

This military-civilian rotation eventually formalised into today’s dual-line system, where succession is from either the Balogun (military) or Otun Olubadan (civil) line, alternating with each reign.

Olubadan: The Time Tested Seamless Journey To Kingship in Ibadan

🪜 From Mogaji to Monarch: The Climb is Real

Every aspirant to the throne must first become a Mogaji, the head of a family compound.
From there, one starts moving up until one enters either the Balogun or Olubadan line, depending on available space. The climb continues—step by step, title by title—as those ahead either pass away or are promoted.
Unlike the violent past when war casualties created frequent vacancies, modern peace means fewer deaths, and thus longer wait times.
It is not uncommon to spend 5–10 years in a single position.

⚠️ The Fastest Rise: But Not the Longest Reign

Interestingly, not all who got there young reigned long.

Oba Rasheed Kobiowu, one of the youngest ever to sit on the Olubadan stool at age 56, reigned for just six months before his passing.
This paradox highlights the unpredictable nature of destiny and tradition.

Inside the Olubadan-in-Council: Understanding Ibadan’s Traditional Power Structure

🧭 Why This System Works

Despite the long wait, Ibadan’s chieftaincy system is widely praised for:
Orderliness: Succession disputes are extremely rare.

Transparency: Everyone knows who is next.

Stability: It avoids royal tussles common in other kingdoms.

In a time where political thrones are often bought and sold, Ibadan’s royal stool is earned through patience and service.

📌 Final Thoughts

The Olubadan throne is not just a seat of power—it’s a testament to dignity, protocol, and patience.

It may take decades, but when an Olubadan is crowned, he is a king the people have watched rise steadily, not someone who emerged from nowhere.

As Oba Rasheed Ladoja prepares to ascend the stool, he brings with him a legacy of service—from business to politics, and now to royalty. His story is the latest in a long line of monarchs who prove that in Ibadan, every step to the top matters.