The monarch, who ascended the throne in 1960 and reigned for 65 years, has died, just hours after the nation began mourning the passing of former President Buhari earlier that day.
Nigeria Plunged into Mourning as Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, Dies at 91—Same Day as Buhari
Nigeria is grieving a monumental loss as Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, passed away at the age of 91, barely hours after the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari was announced.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, confirmed the monarch’s death in a solemn statement from Abeokuta on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona… He joined his ancestors today at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State, and Nigeria,” Governor Abiodun said.
The news compounded national sorrow, coming just hours after the announcement of former President Buhari’s death at age 82 in a London hospital.
“It is indeed double sadness,” Governor Abiodun noted, “that Oba Adetona passed away on the same day we lost former President Buhari.”
Oba Adetona ascended the throne in 1960 at just 26 years old and reigned for an unprecedented 65 years. His leadership was marked by unity, cultural preservation, and visionary development in Ijebuland and beyond.
Abiodun praised the late monarch’s impact, citing remarkable progress in education, healthcare, commerce, and infrastructure under his reign. The Ojude Oba festival, for instance, gained international recognition during his time on the throne.
“His wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to his people will forever be etched in our hearts,” Abiodun said. “May we uphold the values he lived for.”
Tributes from President Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu also mourned the monarch, calling him “a towering natural ruler” whose influence extended far beyond traditional leadership.
“Oba Adetona was a voice of reason during national crises and a symbol of unity,” Tinubu said in a statement from the State House. “He served with honour, dignity, and wisdom.”
The President highlighted Oba Adetona’s contributions to national discourse and education, especially through his endowment at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
“May our departed Kabiyesi find eternal rest,” Tinubu prayed, extending condolences to the royal family, the people of Ijebuland, and Ogun State.
A Royal Legacy
Born on May 10, 1934, in Ijebu Ode, Oba Adetona hailed from the Royal House of Anikinaiya. He became the 50th Awujale on April 2, 1960, following due process, both traditional and legal.
Before his enthronement, he studied at Olu-Iwa College in Ijebu Ode and briefly worked in the Audit Department of the Western Region before pursuing accountancy studies in the UK.
His reign saw him welcome several Nigerian heads of state, including Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. In May 2024, President Tinubu honoured him with Nigeria’s second-highest national award, the GCON, as part of his 90th birthday celebration.
Oba Adetona was known for his modern outlook and played a vital role in regional and national affairs. A longtime member of the Western Region House of Chiefs, he remained a respected voice in matters of governance, tradition, and development.
His passing closes a chapter in Nigeria’s royal history. He was not just a king but a bridge between the old and the new—an enduring symbol of integrity, courage, and purpose.
