Tinubu holds closed-door meeting with Olubadan of Ibadanland at Aso Villa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday received the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for a closed-door meeting.

Although details of the discussions were not disclosed, the visit has drawn attention given its timing and political significance.

The meeting comes less than four months after Oba Ladoja’s formal installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025. It also follows closely on the heels of a visit by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who met with the President just a day earlier.

Ladoja previously served as Governor of Oyo State between May 2003 and January 2006 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He succeeded Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away in July 2025 after a brief reign of about one year.

Ladoja emerged as Olubadan in line with Ibadan’s rotational chieftaincy system, which alternates between the civil (Egbe Agba) and military (Balogun) ruling lines. The late Olakulehin was from the Balogun line.

Before becoming Olubadan, Ladoja had held the position of Otun Olubadan since August 2024, placing him first in the line of succession.

His appointment as Olubadan was formally approved by Governor Makinde in September 2025.