Pius Nsabe
Nigeria has lost one of its most revered and longest-reigning monarchs. The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.
His death comes just hours after the passing of his close friend and former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, drawing the curtain on a generation of elder statesmen who significantly shaped Nigeria’s modern political and cultural identity.
Confirming his demise, a prince of Ijebu, Adedoyin Alatishe, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a brief but emotional tribute: “Baami Ogbagba agbatewole. Erin wo. Omo anikilaya saagbu” — a poetic Yoruba eulogy that translates as “The great elephant has fallen; the warrior son has gone to rest.”
Oba Adetona ascended the throne of his ancestors in April 1960 at the young age of 26. His reign spanned over 64 years, making him not just the longest-serving Awujale in recorded history but one of the longest-serving monarchs in West Africa. Throughout his reign, he was a symbol of tradition, resilience, and intellectual leadership. A reformer within the traditional institution, he modernized the monarchy while fiercely defending the dignity and autonomy of the Ijebu people.
Born into the royal Anikilaya ruling house of Ijebu Ode in 1934, Oba Adetona was educated in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Before ascending the throne, he studied Accountancy in the UK. His Western education, sharp wit, and administrative acumen enabled him to blend traditional leadership with modern governance values. He became a powerful voice in national affairs, often engaging in political discourse with clarity and courage.
In public life, the Awujale was never shy to speak truth to power. He was known for his frank commentary on national issues and was one of the few monarchs who maintained intellectual independence from successive governments. During military and civilian regimes alike, he advocated for the restructuring of Nigeria, accountability in leadership, and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.
Oba Adetona’s enduring legacy also includes philanthropy and education. In 2014, he donated ₦250 million to establish the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Institute for Governance Studies at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. The institution has become a centre of excellence for leadership, governance, and civic studies, nurturing young minds and contributing to policy dialogue in Nigeria.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across Nigeria and beyond. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in a statement issued moments after the monarch’s passing, described Oba Adetona as “a colossus of wisdom and a pillar of unity who served his people with unwavering devotion, candour, and honour.” He also announced that flags in the state would fly at half-mast in mourning and respect.
President Bola Tinubu, in a condolence message, called the Awujale’s death “a national loss of immeasurable proportion.” Tinubu described him as “a titan of tradition and statesmanship, whose wise counsel helped steer the course of Yoruba and national leadership through turbulent times.”
Beyond politics and royalty, the Awujale enjoyed close relationships with global figures, academics, and business moguls. His annual Ojude Oba Festival, held in Ijebu Ode, attracted tourists from around the world and showcased the deep cultural wealth of the Ijebu people. Under his leadership, Ijebuland maintained economic prominence in Ogun State and Southern Nigeria at large.
Oba Adetona’s relationship with Muhammadu Buhari was particularly notable. Both men shared a vision of incorruptible leadership, a deep sense of national duty, and personal humility. Their deaths on the same day have stunned the nation and prompted an outpouring of emotion, particularly among the elderly and the political elite who remember their influence over Nigeria’s formative decades.
As the Ijebu traditional council prepares for official mourning rites, questions now turn to succession. The Ijebu custom has a rich, rotational system among the ruling houses, but the process of choosing a new Awujale is expected to be deliberate and dignified, as befits the legacy of Oba Adetona.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona will be remembered as a monarch who lived with honour, ruled with dignity, and died with his legacy intact. His voice may be silent now, but the wisdom he imparted and the institutions he built will continue to guide future generations.
Funeral arrangements and national honours are expected to be announced by the Ogun State Government and the Ijebu Traditional Council in the coming days.