The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has died at the age of 91.
The revered monarch reportedly died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, just hours after the announcement of the death of his longtime friend and Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Oba Adetona, who ascended the throne in 1960, reigned for an extraordinary 65 years, making him the longest-serving traditional ruler in West Africa.
He was known for his outspoken stance on governance, national unity, and ethics in leadership, and had a decades-long friendship with the late President Buhari rooted in mutual respect and shared conservative values.
As a symbol of cultural pride, political wisdom, and royal integrity, Oba Adetona transformed Ijebuland into a beacon of peace, development, and cultural resilience during his reign.
His death marks the end of an era for the Ijebu kingdom and traditional rulership in Nigeria, with tributes pouring in from across the country.
