Olubadan Coronation: Ibadan Celebrates Oba Ladoja with Colourful Cultural Display

Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa by landmass, is renowned for its deep-rooted traditions and rich heritage. On Tuesday, the city once again reaffirmed its cultural pride as it hosted a spectacular Cultural Day celebration at the Olubadan Stadium in honour of its incoming monarch, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. The event marked the second day of a weeklong programme of activities culminating in the grand coronation at Mapo Hall on Friday, September 26, 2025.

The celebration brought together traditional rulers, chiefs, artisans, cultural groups, and thousands of residents who filled the stadium to showcase Ibadan’s colourful traditions and honour their royal father. The atmosphere was electric, blending age-old customs with modern excitement as the city prepared to crown its 44th Olubadan.

The Olubadan Stadium transformed into a festival ground as drummers, dancers, and masquerades performed for an enthusiastic audience. The celebration was a melting pot of Yoruba heritage, with talking drums echoing ancient rhythms and cultural troupes showcasing dances passed down through generations. Traditional attire in vibrant colours dominated the scene, turning the venue into a tapestry of Yoruba identity.

This year’s Cultural Day was more than a performance; it was a statement of unity. Residents of Ibadan and visitors from across Nigeria came together to celebrate their shared history and look forward to a prosperous future under the leadership of Oba Ladoja.

Speaking at the event, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chairman of the 44th Coronation Committee and former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), described the Cultural Day as a reflection of Ibadan’s communal spirit and cultural pride.

“It is Ibadan’s story we are telling today,” Chief Oyero declared.
“The Cultural Day is not just about dancing and drumming; it is about showing our children and the world that Ibadan is a city of resilience, courage, and innovation. Kabiyesi Ladoja represents all these values, and today, we honour him and our city together.”

He added that the celebration coinciding with Oba Ladoja’s birthday gave it an even deeper significance, calling on residents to participate actively in the remaining activities of the coronation week.

“Today is cultural, tomorrow is intellectual, and by Friday, we crown our king. I call on all Ibadan sons and daughters to be part of history,” Oyero concluded.

The President-General of CCII, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, also spoke at the event, describing Oba Ladoja as a monarch with the vision and capacity to lead Ibadan into a new era of development.

“Olubadan is not only a custodian of culture but also a statesman of national importance,” Chief Ajewole said.
“He has shared his dream with us, to make Ibadan a city of excellence comparable to global capitals. We believe his reign will open a new dawn for our people.”

Ajewole’s comments underscored the expectations of Ibadan indigenes for a reign marked by peace, progress, and innovation.

The Cultural Day is a longstanding tradition in Ibadan’s coronation activities, designed to showcase the values, beliefs, and customs of the Yoruba people. It offers a platform for younger generations to learn about their heritage and for visitors to experience the unique cultural wealth of Ibadanland.

This year’s celebration featured not only traditional performances but also exhibitions of indigenous crafts, textiles, and local cuisines, reinforcing Ibadan’s status as a hub of Yoruba civilization.

Co-chairman of the Special Planning Committee, Chief Adegboye Adegoke, described the Cultural Day as the opening chapter of a rich programme of events leading up to the coronation.

“What we are witnessing today is the heartbeat of Ibadan in dance and music,” Adegoke said.
“But beyond this, tomorrow we will engage with ideas at the coronation lecture by Professor Toyin Falola, and by Friday, the whole world will see Ibadan again at the Mapo coronation ground.”

Adegoke’s remarks highlighted the diversity of the coronation week programme, which includes intellectual and ceremonial events designed to showcase both tradition and progress.

This publication understands that the coronation lecture will take place on Wednesday at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with renowned historian Professor Toyin Falola expected to deliver an address on Ibadan’s cultural evolution and future prospects. This intellectual engagement underscores the city’s reputation as both a centre of tradition and a hub of scholarship.

The grand coronation ceremony will hold on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Mapo Hall, a historic venue known for hosting some of the most significant events in Ibadan’s history. Dignitaries from across Nigeria, including traditional rulers, political leaders, and cultural icons, are expected to grace the occasion.

The Cultural Day celebration at the Olubadan Stadium did more than entertain; it symbolized Ibadan’s resilience and cultural identity. By blending performances, speeches, and exhibitions, the event showcased a city proud of its past and optimistic about its future under the leadership of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Residents expressed their excitement for the coronation, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen Ibadan’s place as a cultural and economic powerhouse in Nigeria. The weeklong activities also provide a platform for local artisans, performers, and entrepreneurs to display their talents and products, boosting the local economy.

The coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland is more than a ceremonial transition; it is a reaffirmation of Ibadan’s unique traditional system, which is admired across Nigeria for its clear succession process and minimal disputes. The event draws attention to the stability of the Olubadan stool, which alternates between two lines—Otun and Balogun—ensuring fairness and continuity.

For many residents, the coronation of Oba Ladoja is particularly meaningful because of his previous experience as a governor and senator, which they believe will bring a blend of modern governance and traditional leadership to Ibadanland.

As Ibadan counts down to the grand coronation at Mapo Hall, the Cultural Day celebration at the Olubadan Stadium stands out as a powerful testament to the city’s enduring traditions and vibrant communal spirit. From the beating of the talking drums to the colourful performances of masquerades and dancers, Ibadan showcased the depth of its heritage while looking forward to a new era under Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

The weeklong activities—spanning culture, scholarship, and ceremony—reflect the essence of Ibadan: a city rooted in history but eager for progress. As the world watches on September 26, 2025, Ibadan will once again affirm its place as a beacon of Yoruba culture and leadership in Nigeria.