President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, are among prominent dignitaries expected to grace the 60th remembrance anniversary of the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, former Premier of the defunct Western Nigeria and the 13th Aare-Onakakanfo of Yorubaland.
Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Soun of ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, Senators , Reps Oyo Assembly members and others are also expected to grace the event.
The remembrance ceremony, which forms part of efforts to honour the life, ideals and enduring legacy of the late statesman, will hold on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, will serve as the Chairman of the Day, while Chief (Amb.) Abayomi Akintola, Dr. Abimbola Akintola and Justice Ladiran Akintola are to serve as Chief Hosts.
Chief Akintola (1910–1966) was a renowned lawyer, journalist, orator and nationalist, as well as a founding father of modern Nigeria, who served as the second and last Premier of the Western Region before his assassination during Nigeria’s first military coup on January 15, 1966.
According to a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Foundation, Ogbomosho, Mr. Yemi Adedokun, and the Public Relations Officer, Remi Oladoye, Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, will deliver the anniversary lecture.
The statement added that state governors including Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Soun of ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III); traditional rulers and other eminent personalities from across the country are also expected to attend the event.
Why Remembring Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola
The Foundation explained that the anniversary will provide a platform to reflect on Chief Akintola’s political ideals, leadership philosophy and contributions to regional and national development, as well as re-examine his role in the political evolution of the old Western Region and Nigeria.
