Ibadan, Nigeria — October 15, 2025
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has declared that hard times await land grabbers tarnishing the reputation of Ibadan.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, the monarch inaugurated a five-member committee of legal practitioners tasked with tackling the growing menace of land grabbing from a legal standpoint.
The newly inaugurated committee comprises Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Barr. Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas. Oba Ladoja, however, noted the absence of Barrister Adetunbi at the inauguration ceremony.
The Olubadan charged the committee to co-opt experts from various professional fields — including town planning, surveying, security agencies, and the judiciary — to provide the necessary insight and support to combat the land-grabbing menace effectively.
> “I know each of you very well. While we entertain no illusion as to the gravity of your responsibility, I have no doubt that you have the capacity to carry it out,”
— Oba Rashidi Ladoja
The monarch further instructed the committee to “hit the ground running” and submit its recommendations within 21 days. He clarified that the new legal advisory body would complement, rather than replace, the existing committee on land matters headed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori.
Flanked by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Oba Ladoja emphasized that both the Oyo State Government and the traditional institution share a common goal — ridding Ibadan of the menace of land grabbing. He likened the problem to “an interlocking web of complex connections involving diverse interests that need to be unravelled.”
Supporting the Olubadan’s position, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, stressed the urgency of the issue, describing land grabbing as a recurring threat that “constantly puts our people in harm’s way.” He suggested the establishment of anti-land grabbing tribunals across the 11 local government councils in Ibadanland as a possible solution.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) expressed appreciation to the Olubadan and the Council for the opportunity to serve. He pledged the committee’s commitment to the task, describing the appointment as “a call to serve our fatherland.”
Akintola also appealed for the cooperation of the Oyo State Government and the people of Ibadan, noting that the state administration itself is not in support of land grabbing, and the newly formed advisory committee will strengthen the government’s resolve to tackle the menace.
The meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council, presided over by Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was attended by:
Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Balogun of Ibadanland
Oba Kola Adegbola, Otun Balogun
Oba Eddy Oyewole, Otun Olubadan-Designate
Oba Olubunmi Isioye-Dada, Osi Balogun
Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Osi Olubadan-Designate
Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Asipa Olubadan-Designate
Oba Akeem Adewoyin, Ekerin Balogun
Oba Adebayo Akande, Ekerin Olubadan-Designate
Also in attendance were Chief Tajudeen Aremu, Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, as well as Prof. Soji Adejumo, Ajiroba of Ibadanland.
E-signed:
Adeola Oloko
Media Aide to the Olubadan of Ibadanland
