The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has moved to overhaul the process of entering the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy hierarchy, declaring that financial influence and patronage will no longer determine who ascends the revered Olubadan line.
The announcement was made on Friday at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, during the installation of Chief Oladiran Alabi Yeronbi as Jagun Olubadan, the recognised entry point into the succession system.
The monarch said the new direction is intended to protect the credibility of the institution and align it with values of service, accountability, and community relevance.
Represented at the event by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Olubadan explained that prospective candidates must now go beyond basic qualifications such as education and stable means of livelihood. He said only individuals with proven and verifiable records of contributing to family development and grassroots progress in Ibadanland would be considered going forward.
He noted that the reform enjoys the backing of the Olubadan Advisory Council, describing it as a necessary step to ensure fairness and preserve the traditional system for future generations. According to him, the era where titles could be influenced by wealth is being deliberately phased out in favour of merit based evaluation.
As part of the new selection process, three screening committees were constituted to review applications for the Jagun title. A total of 102 Mogajis applied, with candidates assessed based on documented evidence of community impact, including social interventions, empowerment initiatives, and developmental contributions.
At the end of the exercise, Chief Oladiran Alabi Yeronbi emerged as the successful candidate. The Olubadan acknowledged the efforts of other applicants, encouraging them to remain committed to community service despite not being selected, noting that the limitation was due to the availability of only one position.
In his remarks, Alabi pledged to build on his record of grassroots engagement by expanding youth empowerment programmes, educational support, and community development initiatives. He said his focus would be on creating more structured and sustainable opportunities for young people and vulnerable groups.
The new Jagun also threw his weight behind the palace’s opposition to land grabbing, describing it as an avoidable practice that undermines social order. On security, he emphasised the importance of community-driven efforts, stating that lasting safety can only be achieved when local areas are properly organised and monitored.
The reform is seen as a defining moment for the Ibadan traditional institution, introducing a more transparent and impact-driven pathway into the Olubadan line, while addressing longstanding concerns about the monetisation of chieftaincy titles.
