By Adesina Quadri Ademola
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, has died at the age of 91. The respected traditional ruler passed away on Sunday, a few hours after the announcement of the death of his close friend and former Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Below are key facts about the late monarch:
Full Name: Oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON
Birth: Born 10 May 1934 in Imupa, Ijebu Ode
Reign: Ascended the throne on 2 April 1960 at the age of 25
Royal House: Anikinaiya Ruling House of Ijebu Ode
Education: Attended Olu-Iwa College; studied accountancy in the UK
Career Before Kingship: Worked briefly in the Western Region Audit Department
Longest-Serving Monarch: Reigned for 65 years — Nigeria’s longest-serving first-class monarch
Cultural Revivalist: Reformed and globalised the Ojude Oba festival
Legal Battle: Dethroned in 1981 under military regime; reinstated by court order in 1984
Development Advocate: Founded the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction
Academic Legacy: Endowed a School of Governance at Olabisi Onabanjo University
National Honours: Awarded GCON by President Tinubu in 2024 on his 90th birthday
Reputation: Widely respected for integrity, outspokenness, and his defence of tradition
