By Peter Omopo | July 13, 2025
Nigeria has lost one of its most revered and longest-reigning traditional monarchs, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.
The monarch’s death was confirmed by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the iconic traditional ruler. Oba Adetona’s demise came just hours after the announcement of the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a close friend and contemporary of the Awujale, adding a layer of national grief to an already somber day.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered Awujale of Ijebuland. Oba Adetona joined his ancestors today, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that has significantly shaped Ijebuland, Ogun State, and Nigeria in general,” Governor Abiodun said in an official statement.
Oba Adetona, who ascended the throne in April 1960, reigned for over 64 years, making him not only one of Nigeria’s longest-serving monarchs but also one of the most influential traditional figures in the country’s post-independence history.
A Monarch of Distinction
Born in 1934, Sikiru Kayode Adetona was crowned the Awujale of Ijebuland in the same year Nigeria gained independence. Over the decades, he became a towering figure in Yoruba history, known for his outspokenness, principled leadership, and unyielding commitment to justice and development.
He was celebrated for modernizing traditional governance, advocating for good governance, and promoting education and economic advancement within Ijebuland and beyond. The monarch’s leadership style blended tradition with progressive ideals, earning him admiration across generations and ethnic boundaries.
National Mourning and Tributes
Governor Abiodun described the monarch’s death as “a monumental loss not just to Ogun State, but to the entire nation.” He noted the coincidence of Oba Adetona’s passing with that of former President Buhari as “a double tragedy for Nigeria.”
“Oba Adetona was not only a custodian of our traditions but also a bridge between the old and new Nigeria. His voice carried weight in national matters, and his wisdom will be sorely missed,” the governor said.
Condolences have begun pouring in from traditional rulers, political leaders, and citizens across the country, who remember the Awujale as a courageous and visionary monarch whose reign transformed Ijebuland into a model of cultural pride and economic dynamism.
Funeral Arrangements and National Honours
Details of funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days by the Ijebu Traditional Council in conjunction with the Ogun State Government. There are strong indications that the Federal Government will declare a period of mourning and offer state honours in recognition of the monarch’s enduring legacy.
The death of Oba Sikiru Adetona marks the end of an era—an era defined by tradition, integrity, and transformative royal stewardship. His influence will echo in the annals of Nigerian history as the monarch who embodied both the dignity of the crown and the demands of modern leadership.
