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| The late Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona |
The Ijebu kingdom mourns the loss of its iconic leader, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and spiritual head of the Ijebu people, who passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
His death came mere hours after the nation announced the passing of his longtime friend and Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Oba Adetona’s reign spanned more than six decades, having ascended the throne in 1960. Throughout his extraordinary tenure, he was celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential and longest-serving traditional rulers. Beyond his role as monarch, he was a beacon of cultural pride, political sagacity, and unwavering royal integrity.
His passing signifies the end of a remarkable era for the Ijebu kingdom and traditional leadership across Nigeria.
Though official statements from the Ogun State Government and the Awujale’s palace were still pending at press time, trusted sources close to the royal family confirmed that the revered monarch died peacefully in a private hospital in Lagos.
The nation now reflects on the legacy of a leader whose life and reign shaped the cultural and political landscape of Ijebuland for generations.
Oba Adetona was known for his outspoken stance on governance, national unity, and ethics in leadership.
Born on May 10, 1934, the late monarch was installed as the Awujale at just 26 years old. He would go on to transform Ijebuland into a beacon of peace, development, and cultural resilience. Under his reign, Ijebuland witnessed infrastructural growth, business expansion, and social harmony, it has been reported.
A first-class monarch with global recognition, Oba Adetona, according to reports, was instrumental in advocating constitutional roles for traditional rulers and was a strong voice during military regimes and democratic transitions.
In 2021, the Olabisi Onabanjo University renamed its School of Governance Studies in his honour, a testament to his commitment to leadership and education.
Tributes are already said to have started pouring in from political leaders, traditional institutions, and cultural groups across the country, describing the monarch as a rare gem and a father to many.
The nation, sadly, has been plunged into a period of solemn reflection following the consecutive passing of two revered elder statesmen - Oba Adetona and Muhammadu Buhari - both within the span of a single day.
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