Olubadan of Ibadanland, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at The Sun Awards 2025

In a momentous recognition of his exemplary service to traditional leadership and national development, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has been honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at The Sun Awards 2025. The award celebrates his enduring contributions to governance, socio-political advancement, and the preservation of Yoruba culture in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

The highly revered monarch, who ascended the throne as the 44th Olubadan on September 26, 2025, just a day after his 81st birthday, continues to embody wisdom, stability, and selfless service. As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, Oba Ladoja’s journey to the throne was marked by resilience and dedication, following his tenure as a former Governor of Oyo State.

Speaking on the significance of the award, Oba Ladoja described The Sun Awards as a “morale booster for continuous service.” He received the nomination letter from the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, at his palace in Ibadan, where he expressed gratitude for the honour. This accolade places him alongside other distinguished recipients, including Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and Chief Simeon Eyisi of SIMS Nigeria Limited, who also clinched Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The Sun Awards 2025, an annual event organized by The Sun newspaper, highlights individuals and institutions that have made outstanding impacts in various sectors. Oba Ladoja’s recognition underscores his role as a symbol of traditional authority and his efforts in fostering unity and progress. Recently, he was also inaugurated as the inaugural Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs by Governor Seyi Makinde, a position that rotates among the Olubadan, Alaafin of Oyo, and Soun of Ogbomosoland every two years. Notably, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, was absent from the inauguration ceremony.

Born Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, the monarch’s path to prominence is a testament to perseverance. From his days in politics, where he served as Oyo State’s Governor, to his elevation through the Ibadan chieftaincy ladder as Otun Olubadan, Oba Ladoja has consistently demonstrated leadership par excellence. His coronation last year was a grand affair, attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria, marking the beginning of a new era for Ibadanland.

In a similar vein, the Igwe of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, who received The Sun’s Outstanding Royal Father of the Year Award, echoed Oba Ladoja’s sentiments, praising the awards for inspiring further contributions to society.

NaijaChoice News joins the nation in congratulating Kabiyesi Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja on this well-deserved honour. His legacy of service continues to inspire generations, reinforcing the vital role of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s development.