The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has set up a high-powered committee to revive dormant industries across Ibadan.
Speaking at the inauguration in Ibadan on Thursday, the 23rd of October, 2025, the monarch said the initiative aims to restore the city’s lost economic strength and industrial relevance.
The committee will be led by former Minister of Trade, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande, as Chairperson, with ex-Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Dapo Afolabi, as Co-Chair.
Other members include Chief Adelodun Olaiya; former First Bank GMD, Dr Kazeem Adeduntan; Bada Olubadan-Designate, Chief Dotun Sanusi; Agbaoye Kola Karim; Aregbe Omo Balogun; Chief Taofeek Adegboyega; and former Oyo State Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, who will act as Secretary.
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Also on the team are former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Remi Bello; Agbaakin Atayese of Ibadanland, Chief Yomi Idowu; Chief Owolabi Oladejo; and past President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Dr Bayo Olugbemi.
Oba Ladoja said the city must reclaim its status as a hub of commerce, recalling a time when industries such as Leyland, Exide Battery, Wire and Cable, Isoglass, and Ferodo provided thousands of jobs and contributed to Ibadan’s prosperity.
He explained that the new committee will explore why these industries collapsed and design strategies to revive them, creating fresh opportunities for the city’s growing youth population.