Ibadan Royal History: Full List of 44 Olubadan of Ibadanland to Date
- Ibadan’s royal institution stands as one of the most structured and enduring traditional systems in Yoruba history
- The title of Olubadan is earned through decades of chieftaincy progression along either the Civil or Military line
- From its founding by Lagelu in 1820 to the current reign of Olubadan Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Ibadan has produced 44 monarchs who shaped the city’s legacy
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The Olubadan of Ibadanland is more than a traditional ruler; he is the embodiment of centuries of structured leadership, cultural resilience, and historical continuity in one of Nigeria’s most prominent Yoruba cities.
Ibadan, founded by the warrior Lagelu in 1820, emerged from the ashes of past conflicts to become a bastion of Yoruba civilisation. Lagelu, a military commander from Ile Ife, established ‘Eba Odan’, the settlement that would later evolve into modern-day Ibadan.
Source: Twitter
Though not formally titled, Lagelu is revered as the city’s first ruler, laying the foundation for a lineage that has since produced 44 monarchs.
Initially, Ibadan’s rulers were known as ‘Baale’, a title that remained in use until 1936 when it was officially replaced with ‘Olubadan’.
This change coincided with the city’s adoption of a unique Obaship system, which introduced two distinct lines of succession: the Civil (Olubadan) Line and the Military (Balogun) Line. Each aspirant begins as a Mogaji, the head of a family compound, and ascends through 22 or 23 chieftaincy ranks depending on the line.
This rigorous process ensures that every Olubadan is thoroughly groomed over decades before ascending the throne.
The British colonial administration further formalised Ibadan’s governance in 1897 by establishing the Ibadan Town Council, where traditional chiefs served as administrators.
This integration of indigenous leadership with colonial structures reinforced the city’s political relevance and preserved its cultural identity. Today, the Olubadan remains a symbol of unity, tradition, and authority in Ibadanland.
List of Ibadan Rulers (1820–2025)
1. Lagelu (1820)
2. Baale Maye Okunade (1820–1826)
3. Baale Oluyedun Labosinde (1826–1830)
4. Baale Lakanle (1830–1835)
5. Basorun Oluyole Ojaba (1835–1850)
6. Baale Oderinlo Opeagbe (1850–1851)
7. Baale Oyesile Olugbode (1851–1864)
8. Basorun Ibikunle (1864–1865)
9. Basorun Ogunmola (1865–1867)
10. Balogun Beyioku Akere (1867–1870)
11. Baale Orowusi (1870–1871)
12. Aare Latoosa (1871–1885)
13. Balogun Ajayi Osungbekun (1885–1893)
14. Baale Fijabi I (1893–1895)
15. Baale Osuntoki Olusun (1895–1897)
16. Basorun Fajimi (1897–1902)
17. Baale Mosaderin Sunlehinmi (1902–1904)
18. Baale Dada Opadare (1904–1907)
19. Basorun Sunmonu Apanpa (1907–1910)
20. Baale Akintayo Awanibaku (1910–1912)
21. Baale Irefin (1912–1914)
22. Baale Shittu (1914–1925)
23. Baale Oyewole Aiyejenku (1925–1930)
24. Olubadan Okunola Abass Alesinloye (1930–1946)
25. Olubadan Fagbinrin Akere II (1946)
26. Olubadan Oyetunde I (1946)
27. Olubadan Akintunde Bioku (1947–1948)
28. Olubadan Fijabi II (1948–1952)
29. Olubadan Memudu Alli (1952)
30. Olubadan Igbintade (1952–1955)
31. Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele (1955–1964)
32. Oba Yesufu Kobiowu (1964)
33. Oba Salawu Akanbi Aminu (1965–1971)
34. Oba Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II (1971–1976)
35. Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe (1976–1977)
36. Oba Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi (1977–1982)
37. Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike (1983–1993)
38. Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde (1993–1999)
39. Oba Yinusa Ogundipe Arapasowu I (1999–2007)
40. Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I (2007–2016)
41. Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (2016–2022)
42. Oba Lekan Balogun (2022–2024)
43. Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (2024–2025)
44. Olubadan Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja (2025–Present)
Ex-governor Ladoja crowned as new Olubadan
Legit.ng earlier reported that Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the former governor of Oyo state, has finally been crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. He ascended the throne at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The former governor had earlier received the traditional Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, Ibadan. Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to present the staff and instruments of office to the new monarch at the historic Mapo Hall. Legit.ng monitored the event.
Source: Legit.ng
