The journey of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, tells the story of resilience, brilliance, and service to humanity.
Born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to Pa Yunusa Olayiwola and Madam Halimat Sadia Ladoja, the young Rashidi grew up in the Arusa compound, Isale Osi, Ibadan. His early education at Progressive Day School, Ibadan, between 1950 and 1956, and later Ibadan Boys High School, Oke Bola, shaped a bright student who recorded a Grade One in his West African School Certificate Examination.
In 1964, Ladoja emerged top in the A-Level admission examinations into Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. Despite financial and logistics hurdles, the school created space for him due to his brilliance. He excelled in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and on scholarship, proceeded to the University of Liège, Belgium, where he studied Chemical Engineering and graduated with distinction in 1972.
On returning to Nigeria, Ladoja joined Total Nigeria, where he worked for 13 years before venturing into private business in 1985. His business interests cut across shipping, banking, agriculture, and transportation. He also served as a director of the former Crystal Bank, Standard Trust Bank, and United Bank for Africa, among other enterprises.
His chieftaincy journey began in 1993 when he was appointed Mogaji of the Arusa family and Jagun Olubadan by the late Oba Yusuf Oloyede Asanike in a ceremony attended by dignitaries, including the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola.
Politics soon beckoned. In 1992, Ladoja was elected Senator under the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, his career was disrupted by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, forcing him into exile. Upon his return, he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and later became part of the Constitutional Conference in Abuja.
In 2003, Ladoja was elected Governor of Oyo State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His administration championed education reforms, teacher recruitment, prompt salary payment, and zero tolerance for corruption. However, his tenure was cut short in 2006 when he was impeached, only to be reinstated later that year by court order until 2007.
Even after leaving office, Ladoja remained a force in Oyo politics. He supported late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2007 before forming the Accord Party in 2011, which shook the state’s political landscape. In 2019, he played a key role in the coalition that produced Governor Seyi Makinde.
Now retired from politics, Oba Ladoja devotes his time to family, community service, and preserving Ibadan’s cultural heritage. His life reflects a blend of scholarship, business acumen, political courage, and royal dignity.
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