Ibadan – The paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and spiritual head of Ijebu people, has joined his ancestors at the age of 91.
The revered monarch, who reigned for over six decades, reportedly joined his ancestors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, just hours after the announcement of the death of his longtime friend and Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The late Awujale, who ascended the throne in 1960, was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential and longest-serving traditional rulers.
He was not only a monarch but a symbol of cultural pride, political wisdom, and royal integrity.
Though official confirmation from the Ogun State Government and the Awujale’s palace was yet to be made public at press time, multiple sources close to the royal family confirmed the monarch died peacefully at a private hospital in Lagos.
Oba Adetona, a close confidant of the late President Buhari, was known for his outspoken stance on governance, national unity, and ethics in leadership.
Their decades-long friendship was rooted in mutual respect and shared conservative values, both men often seen as moral voices within their spheres.
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.
A first-class monarch with global recognition, Oba Adetona was instrumental in advocating constitutional roles for traditional rulers and was a strong voice during military regimes and democratic transitions.
