The revered Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona, reigned for 65 years, from his installation on April 2, 1960, until his passing on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Born on May 10, 1934, Oba Adetona was a prominent member of the Royal House of Anikinaiya and became one of Nigeria?s longest-reigning monarchs.

Following his demise, Prince Adedoyin Alatishe, an Ijebu prince, mourned his passage on X, writing, ?Baami Ogbagba agbatewole. Erin wo. Omo anikilaya saagbu.?

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, also confirmed the monarch?s death in a statement issued from Abeokuta, the state capital, on Sunday.

Confirming the monarch?s death in a statement shared on his X page on Sunday, Abiodun described it as a huge loss to the state and the nation at large.

He wrote, ?We mourn the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland ?With deep sorrow, we announce the transition of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, who joined his ancestors today, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91?.?

In this report, PUNCH Online writes about the early life of the longest-reigning monarch in the Ijebu Kingdom, his education, and his rise to the throne.

Early life

?ba Sikiru, the ?gbagba Agbotewole II, was born on May 10, 1934, into the Royal House of Anikinaiya of Ij?buland in his father?s house in Imupa, Ijebu Ode.

His father was Prince Rufai Adet?na Adeleke, a son of ?ba Adeleke, ?gbagba Agbotewole I , who was the Awujal? of Ij?buland from 1895 to 1906.

His mother was Ajibabi ?na?ile, who was from the town of Ijebu Igbo.

The founder of the Royal House of Anikinaiya (or Anikilaya) was his great-grandfather, Oba Anikilaya, Figbajoye Agboogunsa I, who reigned from 1821 to 1854, and who himself was a son of ?ba Gbelegbuwa.

As a member of the Royal House of Anikinaiya, his paternal family claimed descent from Olu-Iwa, the semi-legendary first Awujal? and ?banta, another founder of the Ij?bu kingdom.

Education

Prince Adet?na attended various Baptist Schools, Ereko, Ij?bu-Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ij?bu-Igbo; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu-Ode between 1943 and 1950.

For his secondary education, he attended Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odut?la) College, Ijebu-Ode from 1951 to 1956. Between 1957 and 1958, he took up an appointment with the then Audit Department of the Western Region, Ibadan.

The prince resigned his appointment in 1958 to pursue further studies in accountancy in the United Kingdom, which was the colonial ruler of Nigeria at the time.

Rise to the Throne

By a letter dated January 4, 1960, the Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Ministry of Local Government conveyed to the Local Government Adviser in Ij?bu Ode approval of the Western Region Governor in Council, the appointment of Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona as king, and his confirmation as the new Awujale of Ijebuland with effect from that date (January 4, 1960).

It became the lot of Ij?bu notables like the late ?gb?ni-?ja, Chief Timothy Ade?la Odut?la, B?basuwa I, Chief Emmanuel Okusanya Okun?w?; and A?iwaju, Chief Samuel ?latub?sun ?honibare, to arrange for the home-coming of the King-elect.

On January 18, 1960, the Head of the Ij?bu Ode Regency Council, the ?gbeni-?ja, Chief Timothy Ade?la Odut?la, formally presented the new traditional ruler to the world.

This presentation, which was a novelty, signalled the commencement of the installation ceremonies of the king-elect.

It was indeed a new dawn in the annals of Ij?bu people. The king-elect thereafter proceeded to undergo the traditional seclusion at the Odo for three months.

Oba Adet?na, who had earlier been nominated along with five others by the ODIS was unanimously selected by the kingmakers in conformity with Section 11 of the Chiefs Law of 1957 applicable in the Western Region.

The then governor signed the Instrument of Office approving Prince Sikiru Kay?de Adet?na as Awujal? of Ij?buland. The formal coronation took place on Saturday, April 2, 1960.

On April 5, 1960, newly crowned ?ba Adet?na took his seat as a member of the Western Region House of Chiefs, after a formal introduction.

?ba Adet?na was a charismatic Prince, and some ?bas and Chiefs nominated him for the presidency of the House of Chiefs. Albeit an older and traditionally more senior ?ba, late Sir Ades?ji Ader?mi, ?oni of If? was subsequently elected the President.

The thought here was that, early as a monarch, the 26-year-old Awujal? was a fit and proper king for the exalted position. No doubt, this consideration was an admission of the uniqueness of the Awujal? of Ij?buland.

During his reign, he introduced and popularised the annual

Ojude Oba festival.

The cultural and social event where the Ijebu people, regardless of religious background, pay homage to the Awujale is usually held on the third day of Eid-el-Kabir every year.

The festival is known for its colourful parades, traditional attire, and expressions of cultural pride.

Oba Adetona was conspicuously absent at the last edition of the festival due to ill-health associated with old age.

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Adetona died. His passing came hours after his longtime friend, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, died as well. (PUNCH)

Update news