Preparations are in top gear to select a successor following the recent demise the of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona who d!ed on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.
He was buried the next day, and a traditional mourning period followed. His d3ath came just hours after the announcement of the passing of his close friend, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
Oba Adetona, who began his reign in 1960 at the age of 26 was the longest-serving Awujale in the history of Ijebuland. He belonged to the Anikinaiya Ruling House, one of the four royal families eligible to ascend the throne.
According to the declaration made under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law of 1957, which governs the selection of the Awujale the four ruling houses are: Gbelegbuwa, Anikinaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote.
This declaration was officially approved on August 25, 1959, and registered on September 1, 1959, just before Oba Adetona took the throne.
The next ruling house in line to produce the Awujale is the House of Fusengbuwa. Seventeen princes from this house have expressed interest in the position. The contenders include:
- Prince Adewale Alausa
- Prince Ademola Aderibigbe
- Prince Taiwo Otun
- Hon. Olaseni Otun
- Otunba Sakiru Bello
- Prince Olawale Yusuf Oriola
- Prince Adeleke Adeyemi Akeem
- Prince Adekunle Agbasale
- Prince Adewale Adekoya Ayodele
- Otunba Fatai Arowolo
- Prince Adeleye Lateef
- Prince Adewale Akeem Adeleke
- Prince Adeyemi Oduwole
- Prince Onabanjo Oladayo
- Prince Odunowo Adebowale Emmanuel
- Prince Adegbenro Bello
- Prince Adewale Ayoola Olasupo Bello.                  Â
- The selection process is expected to be competitive. It will involve traditional consultations and legal procedures. The final decision will be made by the kingmakers of Ijebuland and will require the formal approval of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
The transition marks a significant moment in the history of Ijebuland, as the community prepares to welcome a new monarch after more than six decades of uninterrupted reign by the late Oba Adetona.
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