Olubadan of Ibadanland Ends ‘Money-for-Title’ Era, Sets Merit-Based Entry into Chieftaincy Line

…Says integrity, education, and community impact now determine Jagun appointments

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Friday declared that financial influence and monetary inducement would no longer determine entry into the prestigious Olubadan chieftaincy line, particularly at the Jagun level.

Ladoja made this known on Friday at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, during the conferment of the title of Jagun Olubadan on Mogaji Fajinmi, Chief Oladiran Alabi (Yeronbi), who emerged successful among over 100 applicants.

The monarch stated that the era where “money bags” could secure entry into the revered traditional hierarchy was over, stressing that merit, integrity, and verifiable contributions to community development would now be the determining factors.

“The offer of hundreds of millions of naira or influence-peddling by eligible applicants will no longer determine entry into the Olubadan line,” Ladoja said.

He added, “It is the new standard we have set, not for our own personal benefits but for generations yet unborn.”

According to the first-class monarch, prospective entrants into the Olubadan line must possess quality education, a visible means of livelihood, and most importantly, demonstrate tangible contributions to the development of their families and Ibadanland at large.

Ladoja disclosed that the Olubadan Advisory Council fully supports the reform, noting that three separate screening committees were constituted to scrutinise applications from interested Mogajis.

“We have resolved that once there is a vacancy for Jagun, which is the entry point to the Olubadan line, interested Mogajis should apply with demonstrable and verifiable evidence of their contributions to grassroots development,” he said.

The monarch congratulated Alabi on his emergence as Jagun Olubadan, noting that he came top among 102 applicants due to his outstanding record.

“We will not like God to sanction us for refusing to give honour to whom it is due,” Ladoja added.

He, however, commended other applicants for their contributions to community development and urged them not to be discouraged, noting that only one slot was available.

In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Jagun Olubadan, Chief Oladiran Alabi, pledged to intensify efforts towards youth empowerment, community development, and security.

He said, “We will continue to improve the ability of our youths to be employed and empowered. We have been doing this over the years, but now it will be more visible and structured.”

Alabi emphasised his commitment to grassroots development, citing his past interventions in education, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment.

“Go to the communities and ask how many people have been empowered, how many have received training, scholarships, and support. That is what we have been doing, and it will continue,” he said.

On the issue of land grabbing, the Jagun aligned with the Olubadan’s stance, describing the act as unnecessary and unacceptable.

“There is no reason to grab land. We brought nothing to this world and we will take nothing away. Kabiyesi is strongly against it, and I fully support that position,” he stated.

Speaking on security, Alabi noted that safeguarding lives and property must begin at the community level.

“When I became Mogaji, one of my first actions was to sanitise the area because it was one of the toughest. The city can only be secure if communities are secure,” he said.

He further pledged to support ongoing economic and entrepreneurial initiatives aimed at boosting local development across Ibadanland.