President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held a closed-door meeting with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in what marked the monarch’s first official visit to the President since ascending the throne.

The visit came less than four months after Oba Ladoja’s formal installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025, and just a day after Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also paid a visit to President Tinubu. Although details of the discussion were not disclosed, the timing of the meeting has attracted attention given recent political and traditional engagements involving Oyo State.

Oba Ladoja succeeded Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died in July 2025 after a brief reign of about one year. His emergence followed Ibadan’s long-established rotational chieftaincy system, which alternates between the Civil (Egbe Agba) and Military (Balogun) ruling lines. The late Olakulehin hailed from the Balogun line, paving the way for Ladoja from the Civil line.

Before becoming Olubadan, Ladoja served as Otun Olubadan from August 2024, a position that placed him first in the line of succession. His appointment as monarch was formally approved by Governor Makinde in September 2025.

Beyond his traditional role, Oba Ladoja is a seasoned political figure, having served as Governor of Oyo State between May 2003 and January 2006 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The meeting with President Tinubu underscores the growing interface between traditional institutions and the federal government, as well as the Olubadan’s evolving role as a key statesman in Ibadanland and Oyo State since his ascension to the throne.