The Oyo State Government has formally approved the elevation and ratification of three high chiefs in Ibadan to the status of beaded crown-wearing Obas.
The Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters confirmed the development in an official letter.
The letter was addressed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The letter was signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who thanked Olubadan for his anticipated cooperation.
In the letter seen by The Eagle Online on Thursday, the Commissioner explained that the approval followed the monarch’s earlier correspondence and forms part of efforts to compile a list of chiefs due for elevation in Ibadanland.
He identified the three high chiefs: High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin, the Ekerin Olubadan; High Chief Sarafadeen Abiodun Ali, the Ekaarun Balogun; and High Chief Kola Babalola, the Ekaarun Olubadan.
Ojo warned that any delay in their elevation could create the impression that the process is deliberate or politically motivated, stressing that the step is required to protect the Ibadan traditional institution.
“It is traditionally necessary and very essential at this point in time that the newly elevated Chiefs in Olubadan-in-Council should be immediately conferred with beaded crowns in order to avoid unnecessary insinuation that the delay is deliberate and political.
“This is necessary in order to protect the Ibadan traditional institution,” he stated.
The ministry added that the coronation and crown-wearing ceremony has been fixed for Friday, April 3, 2026, at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
