The enthronement of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan is more than just a cultural celebration. It is the crowning of a lifetime defined by resilience, patience, hard work, faith, and determination. His story is not only about royalty or politics; it is a mirror of values that young people can embrace in a world increasingly obsessed with shortcuts, quick fame, and fast money.
Oba Ladoja’s journey from a cocoa trader’s son in Gambari to a chemical engineer, corporate executive, politician, businessman, and now a revered king, reminds us that true greatness is rarely accidental. It is forged in the fire of challenges, sharpened by consistency, and crowned by patience.
In this article, we will take a deep look at his life and extract practical lessons that the younger generation can apply today.
1. Humble Beginnings: The Power of Roots
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was born on 25 September 1944 in Gambari village, near Ibadan, to Alhaji Aruna Ladoja, a cocoa trader, and Alhaja Haleemat Ladoja. He grew up in an environment where values such as hard work, trade, and faith were central.
As a child, he attended Ibadan Boys’ High School and later Olivet Baptist High School, where discipline and academic excellence were emphasized. From these early days, he understood that the foundation of a meaningful life is laid in the formative years.
Lesson for Everyone: Your background should not limit you. Whether you come from a wealthy or humble home, what matters is the strength of character and the vision that you build. Do not despise small beginnings.
2. Education as a Gateway
Ladoja’s pursuit of education took him beyond Nigeria. In 1966, he traveled to Belgium to study at the University of Liège, where he graduated as a Chemical Engineer in 1972. This decision shaped his worldview, exposing him to global perspectives and reinforcing the value of discipline and professionalism.
Many youths today overlook the power of education, choosing quick fixes over long-term investment in knowledge. Yet, Ladoja’s story underscores the fact that education remains a timeless tool for transformation.
Lesson for Everyone: Prioritize education. Whether formal or informal, knowledge gives you tools to compete globally. It is the one inheritance that cannot be stolen.
3. Professional Excellence: Building a Reputation
After his studies, Ladoja joined Total Nigeria Plc, where he worked for 13 years. He rose through the ranks by being diligent, disciplined, and professional. By 1985, he transitioned into private business, venturing into shipping, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, and banking.
He later became a director of Standard Trust Bank in 2000, demonstrating his versatility as both an entrepreneur and corporate leader.
Lesson for Everyone: Build credibility in whatever you do. Whether in employment or entrepreneurship, your work ethics and professionalism will speak louder than any self-promotion. Your reputation is an invisible asset that opens doors.
4. Political Career: The Test of Resilience
Entry into Politics
In the early 1990s, Ladoja was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Oyo South during the short-lived Third Republic. This was his first real taste of governance.
Governor of Oyo State
In 2003, he achieved one of the highest political honors: becoming the Governor of Oyo State under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This was a moment of triumph, but it was also the beginning of one of the most turbulent periods of his life.
Impeachment and Return
In January 2006, Ladoja was impeached by the Oyo State House of Assembly in a controversial move backed by strong political forces. His deputy, Alao-Akala, was sworn in as Governor. With this scenario, many believed that his career was over.
But Ladoja demonstrated resilience and determination. He challenged the impeachment in court, and in December 2006, the Court of Appeal declared the impeachment null and void, reinstating him as Governor.
This episode remains one of the most remarkable political comebacks in Nigeria’s history.
Lesson for Everyone: Life will test you. You will face betrayals, obstacles, and defeats. But setbacks are not the end. If you remain determined, resilient, and stand for truth, you can bounce back stronger.
5. Integrity Under Fire
In 2008, after leaving office as Governor of Oyo State, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of mismanagement of proceeds from the sale of Oyo State government shares. He was briefly remanded by the Federal High Court in Lagos before being granted bail of ₦100 million with two sureties.
However, after an 11-year legal battle, the court reached its conclusion in February 2019. Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in a judgment spanning nearly 250 pages, held that the prosecution’s case was weak, inconsistent, and lacking credible evidence. He emphasized that the EFCC failed to call key witnesses, relied on contradictory testimonies, and presented documents with no probative value.
The court therefore discharged and acquitted Ladoja and his co-accused, Waheed Akanbi, of all corruption charges relating to the ₦4.7 billion. As reported by Premium Times, the judge made it clear that the EFCC had not been able to prove its allegations beyond reasonable doubt, leading to their exoneration .
The final outcome is clear and decisive: Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was not convicted of any wrongdoing. Instead, he was fully discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court after a lengthy trial, with the judgment stating that the prosecution’s case was fundamentally flawed. His eventual enthronement as the Olubadan of Ibadan stands on a life of resilience and public service.
These were difficult times, but he maintained his innocence, faced the courts with dignity, and continued to live with humility.
Lesson for the Everyone: Success will test your character. Integrity is not about avoiding accusations but about how you handle them. Let your moral compass and transparency guide your journey.
6. Faith and Religious Grounding
Despite his success in politics and business, Ladoja never lost touch with his faith. His Islamic background shaped his values of humility, service, and honesty. Colleagues and supporters often describe him as moderate, diplomatic, and grounded in God.
Lesson for Everyone: Faith provides an anchor. In a world of shifting values, hold on to your spiritual and moral beliefs. They will guide you when fame, wealth, or power try to pull you away from what is right.
7. Respect for Tradition and Patience in Leadership
The Ibadan traditional system is unique: kingship is not inherited but attained through a hierarchical ladder of chieftaincy titles. Oba Ladoja patiently rose through the ranks: from Jagun Olubadan to Otun Olubadan.
In 2017, when the then-Governor Abiola Ajimobi attempted to crown 21 new obas in Ibadan, which would disrupt the age-long traditional system, Ladoja stood firm against the move. He fought in court to preserve the sanctity of the Olubadan system, and eventually, the reforms were nullified.
After decades of waiting, his patience paid off. On 26 September 2025, a day after his 81st birthday, he was crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan.
Lesson for Everyone: Respect process and timing. Don’t rush success. If you are consistent, disciplined, and patient, your crown, whether literal or symbolic will come at the right time.
8. Character Traits That Defined Him
Let us reflect on the attributes that carried Oba Ladoja to the throne and how they apply to the everyone today:
Resilience: He bounced back after political storms.
Hard Work: From corporate Nigeria to private business, he worked tirelessly.
Professionalism: He built credibility in every role he occupied.
Patience: He waited for decades to attain the Olubadan throne.
Determination: He never abandoned his ambitions despite setbacks.
Faith: He stayed rooted in spirituality.
Service: He saw leadership as an opportunity to serve, not to dominate.
9. Takeaways for the Younger Generation
Here are practical lessons the youth can take from Oba Ladoja’s life:
No Shortcuts: Quick fame fades, but character lasts.
Invest in Education: Knowledge gives you a global edge.
Be Professional: Excellence is your best CV.
Embrace Patience: Greatness takes time.
Stay Resilient: Life will knock you down, make up your mind to rise again.
Keep Integrity: Guard your reputation like treasure.
Respect Traditions and Systems: Don’t try to outsmart the process.
Serve Others: True leadership is measured by service, not power.
The life of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is a living testament that hard work, patience, resilience, and integrity still pay. In a fast-moving world where many young people are tempted by “get rich quick” schemes or shortcuts to power, his story reminds us that success built on shaky foundations will not last.
Now enthroned as the Olubadan of Ibadan, his rise from the small community of Gambari to the pinnacle of traditional authority reminds us of an enduring lesson: true greatness is built through effort and perseverance, not simply handed down.
To the younger generation:
Build yourself step by step.
Stay humble in success.
Be resilient in failure.
And never forget that your crown will come in due season, if you remain consistent.
Dr. Aremu Fakunle is a Senior Agribusiness and Public Policy Expert based in Abuja, Nigeria
