Barely hours after the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari was announced, Nigeria was dealt another devastating blow: the passing of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. The revered monarch died at the age of 91 on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun confirmed the monarch’s passing in a statement from Abeokuta, the state capital.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland,” the governor said. “Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that helped shape not only Ijebuland but Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.”
Governor Abiodun noted the monarch’s death came as the country was still reeling from the loss of former President Buhari, 82, who died earlier the same day in a London hospital.
“It is indeed a day of double tragedy for our nation,” he added. “Losing Oba Adetona just hours after the former President’s death has plunged the country into deeper mourning.”
A reign of legacy and impact
Oba Sikiru Adetona ascended the throne in April 1960, and for 65 years, he stood as a symbol of wisdom, foresight, and transformative leadership.
“Oba Adetona was more than a traditional ruler—he was a visionary who ushered in a new era for Ijebuland,” the governor said. “He championed education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and infrastructure, laying a strong foundation for progress.”
Under his leadership, the Ojude Oba festival grew into an internationally recognized cultural celebration. He was also instrumental in positioning Ijebuland as a hub of commerce and tradition within Ogun State.
“As we mourn his passing, we must also celebrate the extraordinary life he lived,” Abiodun said. “His values, compassion, and dedication to the betterment of his people will never be forgotten.”
President Bola Tinubu also expressed deep sorrow over the monarch’s death, calling him a “towering natural ruler” whose voice resonated during critical national moments.
“I received the news of Oba Adetona’s passing with deep pain, especially as it came on the same day we lost former President Buhari,” the president said in a statement issued from the State House. “Kabiyesi was a stabilizing force, a bridge between tradition and modernity, and a pillar of wisdom for our country.”
Tinubu praised the monarch’s contribution to education, notably through his endowment at Olabisi Onabanjo University, and lauded his enduring commitment to good governance and public service.
“May our departed Kabiyesi find eternal rest,” he said, offering condolences to the royal family, the people of Ijebuland, Governor Abiodun, and all of Ogun State.
Born on May 10, 1934, in Ijebu Ode, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona hailed from the Royal House of Anikinaiya, one of the four ruling houses of the Ijebu kingdom—alongside Gbelegbuwa, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote. He was crowned the 50th Awujale on April 2, 1960, at the age of 26.
Before his ascension, he studied at Olu-Iwa College in Ijebu Ode and later pursued accountancy in the United Kingdom after working briefly with the Western Region’s Audit Department.
Throughout his reign, Oba Adetona received and advised generations of Nigerian leaders. He hosted former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016. In May 2024, President Tinubu awarded him Nigeria’s second-highest national honour—the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)—in celebration of his 90th birthday.
His influence extended beyond his domain. He was a respected voice in the Western Region House of Chiefs and a strong advocate for unity, justice, and equitable development.
With the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Nigeria loses not just a monarch, but a statesman, a cultural icon, and a symbol of stability. His legacy of service, wisdom, and transformation will endure for generations to come.
