The Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has pledged to return to his alma mater, Ibadan Boys’ High School, to teach Mathematics and Physics after his coronation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Ladoja made the promise on Monday while hosting the school’s management, led by the principal, Rasheed Fasasi, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The monarch-in-waiting, who once taught at the school, said the gesture would enable him to reconnect with his roots and inspire students.
“Beyond being an alumnus of the school, I was also a former teacher here, where I taught Mathematics and Physics. So, during my visit after the coronation, I will engage the students in classwork,” Ladoja said.
He commended the school management for keeping the institution’s legacy alive and praised the principal for sustaining its reputation as a model of academic excellence.
Earlier, Fasasi described the Olubadan-designate’s promise as a morale booster for students, saying it would rekindle their pride and attachment to the school.
“We are confident that Kabiyesi’s visit will motivate our students and encourage them to take pride in their heritage,” Fasasi said.
Ladoja, who emerged as the Olubadan-designate following the death of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, in March 2024, was the Osi Olubadan and next in line on the Otun chieftaincy line. His elevation followed Ibadan’s unique succession system, which ensures that nearly every eligible high chief has the opportunity to ascend the throne if they live long enough.
The former Oyo State governor, who served between 2003 and 2007, has remained an influential figure in Ibadan politics and tradition. His pledge to return to the classroom underscores his long-standing passion for education and mentorship.
Observers say the move would not only inspire students but also strengthen the cultural and intellectual bond between Ibadan’s traditional institution and its educational heritage.
