Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a new Council of Obas and Chiefs, with its chairmanship to rotate among the state’s three most senior traditional rulers.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has been named the council’s inaugural chairman and will serve a two-year term. The rotational arrangement means the position will subsequently be held by the Alaafin of Oyo and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
One of the state’s most prominent monarchs, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was not present at the event. No official reason was given for his absence.
The inauguration follows the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the Oyo State House of Assembly. The legislation is aimed at strengthening traditional governance and clarifying leadership roles within the council.
Under the amended law, the chairmanship of the council will continue to rotate every two years among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland.
Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, was installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.