Early Life and Family
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was born on 25 September 1944 in Gambari village, near Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. His father was Alhaji Aruna Ladoja, a successful cocoa trader. His mother was Alhaja Haleemat Ladoja, a respected community leader in Ibadanland. He comes from a family with deep roots in Ibadan, and his maternal and paternal grandparents also played roles in commerce and traditional society. []
Rashidi Ladoja is married to Alhaja Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja and Bolatito Ladoja. He has several children, including Kamorudeen, Bashirat, Omotola, Adetokunbo, Azeez, and Rasheed. []
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Age and Current Status
As of 26 September 2025, Rashidi Ladoja is 81 years old, having been born in 1944. He was recently crowned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, a traditional ruler position, following the death of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. His coronation took place on 26 September 2025, just after his 81st birthday. []
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Education and Professional Background
Ladoja attended Life Mission School, which later became Ibadan Progressive Day School, Alaadorin, for his primary education. He completed secondary school at Ibadan Boys High School (1958–1963) and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo (1964–1965). []
Later, he was awarded a scholarship by the Belgian government and went to University of Liège in Belgium, where he studied Chemical Engineering, graduating in 1972. []
After university, he worked for Total Nigeria for about 13 years in engineering and managerial roles. In 1985, he left Total to enter private business, building interests in multiple sectors including shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and transportation. []
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Political Career and Traditional Title
Ladoja entered politics in the early 1990s and was elected Senator representing Oyo South in 1993 during Nigeria’s short-lived Third Republic. []
He later became Governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2006, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and briefly again in 2006–2007 after being reinstated by the courts following impeachment controversies. []
He has also held significant roles in business—for example as a director at Standard Trust Bank Ltd among other enterprises. []
In the traditional hierarchy of Ibadanland, Ladoja has risen steadily through the civil (Otun) line. After years of being a senior chief, he was elevated to Otun Olubadan and ultimately nominated, approved by the state government, and crowned as Olubadan in September 2025. []
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Death
As of the latest verified reports, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is alive. There is no credible source confirming his death. []
Sources
Close-Up: Ex-governor, senator, king — Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan who ‘doesn’t panic’, TheCable, 26 September 2025.
Meet Ex-Gov Rashidi Ladoja, The Next Olubadan, Leadership.ng.
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja: From Chemical Engineer to Olubadan of Ibadanland, TVC News.
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