The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s security challenges are not beyond solution, assuring Nigerians that Tinubu is actively addressing the situation.
The traditional ruler spoke on Friday after a meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he discussed concerns over rising insecurity and its impact on livelihoods, particularly farming activities across the country.
Ladoja noted that insecurity has made it increasingly difficult for farmers to access their farmlands, adding that the problem, once concentrated in some regions, is now spreading to the South.
According to him, fear has crept into everyday life, affecting movement and business activities.
“The major problem that we really have now is the problem of insecurity. Farmers find it difficult to go to their farms. It is already coming to the South also,” the monarch said.
He added, “Everybody is apprehensive of going to the farm; everybody is apprehensive of going about their daily businesses. I don’t think it is insurmountable; we believe that the President is tackling it currently.”
Explaining the purpose of his visit, the former Oyo State governor said he came to thank Tinubu for his support and to formally pay homage following his coronation as Olubadan in September 2025. He said he had been seeking an opportunity to visit the President in Abuja since ascending the throne.
Ladoja also spoke on Tinubu’s approach to governance, recalling his record as Lagos State governor and describing it as evidence of his capacity to handle complex challenges.
“If you know from where he is coming, you will know that he knows what he is doing. He was able to get Lagos from where it was to where he left it,” he said.
Describing Nigeria as a more complex entity than any single state, Ladoja said differing expectations and interests across the federation often complicate governance, but expressed optimism that progress is being made.
He observed that states currently have more financial capacity than during his time as governor, enabling them to meet obligations more effectively, while noting that efforts are ongoing to stabilise the national economy.
“The economy is being fixed, we hope that when he is leaving in 2031, he will have put Nigeria where all of us would be proud of,” the Olubadan stated.
