On Monday, July 7, 2025, the name Rasidi Ladoja shot to the top of Nigeria’s search engine trends, becoming one of the most Googled personalities of the day.
The trigger? The reported passing of Oba Olakulehin, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
As Nigerians turned online to ask, “Who is the next Olubadan?”, digital platforms responded with a flurry of articles, posts, and headlines naming Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and former Oyo State Governor, as the most likely successor.
But why is this royal transition making tech headlines? And how has an 80-year-old traditional chief become a viral subject in a digital-first age?
In this article, Techparley details how Rasidi Ladoja’s career offers a fascinating case study in how relevance travels from village royalty to search engine virality.
Who is the Next Olubadan?
In Ibadan, the selection of the next Olubadan follows a clearly structured system, unique in Yoruba traditional rulership. Ladoja, as the Otun Olubadan, is currently the highest-ranking chief in the civil line and next in line to the throne, barring any legal or internal obstruction.
As of Monday, July 7, 2025, multiple sources, including palace insiders and state officials have confirmed that Ladoja is indeed the next in line, pending the traditional rites and official endorsement by the Oyo State Government.
Ladoja’s Age
Rasidi Ladoja was born on 25 September 1944, which makes him 80 years old at the time of this publication. Remarkably fit and mentally sharp, Ladoja’s age doesn’t seems to deter public or royal confidence in his capacity to lead.
His age has also become part of the viral conversation. On X (formerly Twitter), many users shared admiration for Ladoja’s longevity, discipline, and intellect.
Some noted how, in an era of generational change, Nigeria continues to lean on elder statesmen for stability and wisdom.
An Engineer Before a Politician
Rasidi Ladoja’s early academic brilliance saw him study Chemical Engineering at the University of Liège in Belgium between 1966 and 1972, at a time when few Nigerians ventured into such advanced scientific fields.
This STEM background, according to experts, defined his approach to leadership.
Upon returning to Nigeria, Ladoja worked at Total Nigeria for 13 years, rising through the ranks with a reputation for diligence and clarity.
He later became a board member of Standard Trust Bank, in what many have described as his push towards early embrace of the financial sector’s digital transformation.
Ladoja and Oyo Politics:
Before becoming a dominant figure in the traditional structure of Ibadan, Rasidi Ladoja was elected Senator for Oyo South in 1993, and became the Governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2007 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
His tenure, however, as governor was marred by political instability. In 2006, he was impeached by the Oyo State House of Assembly, a move later declared unconstitutional by the courts, leading to his reinstatement in 2007.
He also contested for governor again in both 2011 and 2015, but lost on both occasions to Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Road to kingship
In August 2024, Ladoja was formally crowned with a ceremonial beaded crown, a high honour endorsed by the reigning Olubadan and recognised by the Government of Oyo State.
Search Engine Spotlight: Why Ladoja Is Trending
The surge in digital curiosity surrounding Rasidi Ladoja can be attributed to several overlapping factors:
- Breaking news momentum: With the passing of Oba Olakulehin, media houses quickly identified Ladoja as the most likely successor, prompting mass online searches.
- Rich public legacy: His long career in politics, governance, and business has left behind a searchable digital trail—interviews, policy papers, legal battles—that journalists and curious Nigerians are now resurfacing.
- Culture meets tech: His story embodies the crossroads of Nigeria’s traditional structures and its increasingly digital society.
While Techparley team monitored Google Trends, the keyphrases “next Olubadan,” “Ladoja Olubadan,” “Ladoja age,” and “Otun Olubadan” recorded exponential spikes within hours of the monarch’s passing.
Past Olubadan of Ibadan
Ibadan’s royal system is admired for its transparency and seniority-based progression. The late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, was installed in 2024 and reigned for just over a year before his death.
Previous Olubadans include:
- Olubadan Okunola Abass (1930–1946)
- Olubadan Akere I (1946)
- Olubadan Oyetunde I (1946)
- Olubadan Akintunde Bioku (1947–1948)
- Olubadan Fijabi II (1948–1952)
- Olubadan Alli Iwo (1952)
- Olubadan Apete (1952–1955)
- Oba Sir Isaac Babalola Akinyele (1955–1964)
- Oba Yesufu Kobiowu (July 1964 – December 1964)
- Oba Salawu Akanni Aminu (1965–1971)
- Oba Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II (Salami) (1971–1976)
- Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe (1976–1977)
- Oba Daniel ‘Tayo Akinbiyi (1977–1982)
- Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike I (1982–1994)
- Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde I (1994–1999)
- Oba Yunusa Ogundipe Arapasowu I (1999–2007)
- Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I (2007–2016)
- Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (2016–2022)
- Oba Lekan Balogun (2022–2024)
- Oba Owolabi Olakulehini (2024–2025)
From Otun to Olubadan?
As Otun Olubadan and the likely successor to the throne, Ladoja may be given a second chance to shape the future of Ibadan not just ceremonially but potentially as a voice of reason in an era where governance, tradition, and tech must intersect.
In topping Monday’s search queries, Ladoja has reminded an increasingly online generation that legacy, when well lived, always finds its way back to the surface.
