Olubadan signs economic blueprint to transform Ibadan

File photo: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has said the much-awaited economic turnaround of Ibadan is only a matter of time.

A statement issued by his media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Tuesday, said the monarch made this known after signing the Olubadan Economic and Investment Committee blueprint at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, in Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state, on Monday.

PUNCH Online reports that Ladoja constituted the committee on October 23, 2025, with a mandate to lay a solid economic foundation for the future of the ancient city.

The blueprint was prepared by the Olubadan committee, headed by two-time former Minister, Chief Onikepo Akande, and former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof Dapo Afolabi.

Ladoja said, “The document is a comprehensive economic charter to enable us plan our economic programme ranging from agriculture to mining, tourism, security and industry.

“I want to express the hope that with the framework at hand, the sky is the starting point for Ibadanland. I want to appreciate the committee for their painstaking efforts over the past one year, especially in drawing up the Ibadan economic charter.”

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Earlier, the committee chairperson, Akande, expressed appreciation on behalf of the committee to the Olubadan “for considering them worthy to be appointed to serve.”

While commending the Olubadan’s initiative, the committee co-chairman, Afolabi, also praised “the committee members for the sacrifices of their time, treasure and talent.”

Presenting the economic charter, Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji, said the task had just begun, adding that “all hands must be on deck.”

Dignitaries at the presentation included the Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Otun Balogun, Oba Kolawole Adegbola; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; and the Osi Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez Agagagugu.

Other members of the Olubadan-in-Council present were the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; and the Ekarun Balogun, High Chief Adeniran.

The presentation ceremony was attended by virtually all members of the committee, including the Minister of Power, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe.