Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (10 May 1934-13 July 2025) was the Awùjalẹ̀ of the Ijẹbu Kingdom, a traditional kingdom in Nigeria. He was enthroned as king on April 2, 1960, making him one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning rulers. Adetona belonged to the House of Anikinaiya.
Early life
Oba Sikiru Olukayọde Adetọna, ⻌gbagba Agbotewole II, was born on May 10, 1934, in the royal palace of Anikinaiya of Ijẹbuland, at his father’s house in Imupa, Ijebu Ode.
His father, Prince Rufai Adetọna Adeleke (born in 1902), was the son of Ọba Adeleke, Ọgbagba Agbotewole I (c. 1825–1906), who was the Awujalẹ of Ijẹbuland from 1895 to 1906. His mother, Ajibabi Ọnaṣile, was from Ijebu, Igbo. The Royal House of Anikinaiya (or Anikilaya) was founded by his great-grandfather, Oba Anikilaya, Figbajoye Agboogunsa I (c. 1775-1854), who ruled from 1821 to 1854. Gbelegbuwa was his father.
His paternal line claimed ancestry from Ọbanta, another Ijẹbu founder, and Olu-Iwa, the semi-legendary first Awujalẹ. His paternal line claimed genealogy from Olu-Iwa, the semi-legendary first Awujalẹ, and Ọbanta, another founder of the Ijẹbu Kingdom. He belonged to the Royal House of Anikinaiya.
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Education
Ogbere United Primary School in Oke Agbo, Ijẹbu-Igbo; Baptist Schools in Ereko, Ijẹbu-Ode; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School in Ijebu-Ode were among the schools Prince Adetọna attended. He finished his secondary education at Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odutọla) College in Ijebu-Ode between 1951 and 1956. From 1957 to 1958, he worked for the Audit Department of the Western Region in Ibadan. To pursue further accounting education in the United Kingdom, which was then Nigeria’s colonial ruler, the prince left his job in 1958.
Rise to the Throne
In a letter dated 4 January 1960, referenced CB. 4 1/333, the Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Ministry of Local Government informed the Local Government Adviser in Ijẹbu Ode that the Western Region Governor in Council had approved the appointment of Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona as king and confirmed him as the new Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ijẹbu notables, including the late Ọgbẹni-Ọja, Chief (Dr.) Timothy Adeọla Odutọla, Bọbasuwa I, Chief Emmanuel Okusanya Okunọwọ (MBE, KFNM), and Aṣiwaju, Chief Samuel Ọlatubọsun Ṣhonibare, were tasked with arranging for the King-elect’s homecoming.
On January 18, 1960, the Head of the Ijẹbu Ode Regency Council, Chief Timothy Adeọla Odutọla, formally introduced the new traditional monarch to the world. This unusual presentation marked the beginning of the king-elect’s installation rites. It marked a fresh beginning for the Ijẹbu people. Following that, the king-elect spent three months in customary seclusion at the Odo.
The kingmakers unanimously selected Oba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna, who had been previously nominated by the ODIS along with five others, following Section 11 of the Chiefs Law of 1957, applicable in the Western Region. The Governor approved Prince Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna as the Awujalẹ of Ijebuland. The official coronation occurred on Saturday, April 2, 1960.
On April 5, 1960, freshly crowned Ọba Adetọna assumed his place as a member of the Western Region House of Chiefs following a ceremonial presentation. The flamboyant Prince, Ọba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna, was nominated by several Ọbas and Chiefs for the leadership of the House of Chiefs. However, the late Sir Adesọji Aderẹmi, Ọni of Ifẹ, was elected as the President. Awujalẹ, a twenty-six-year-old monarch, was believed to be a suitable candidate for the job. This perspective acknowledged the peculiarity of the Awujalẹ of Ijẹbuland.
How many wives does Awujale have
He was married to three wives: Iyabọ Oke, Modupe Ẹkundayọ, and Oluwakẹmi Dodo-Williams. He is survived by children, grandkids, and great-grandchildren.
Oba Sikiru Adetona cause of death
On July 13, 2025, palace sources and Ogun State government authorities revealed that Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona had died. He died quietly at the age of 91, only hours after the announcement of the death of his lifelong friend, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
Details about his death are still being revealed, with official announcements due from the palace and government officials. His death leaves a big hole in Ijebuland and Nigeria’s traditional leadership, bringing an end to a spectacular reign that transformed the region’s sociocultural and political landscapes.
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