Photographs and videos of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, Arusa I, performing Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, have triggered a heated debate on social media, with Nigerians divided over the intersection of Yoruba traditional kingship and Islamic religious obligations.
The 82-year-old monarch, who marked his birthday and first anniversary on the throne during his visit to Saudi Arabia, was seen in Ihram with his head uncovered while performing the Islamic pilgrimage.
While some social media users questioned whether it was appropriate for the Olubadan, as custodian of one of Yorubaland’s foremost traditional institutions, to appear publicly without traditional royal headgear, others strongly defended the monarch, arguing that Islamic requirements governing Ihram apply to Muslim men irrespective of their political, economic or traditional status.
Under official Saudi Hajj and Umrah guidance, covering the head is among the prohibitions applicable to male pilgrims while they are in the state of Ihram. The rules therefore provide important religious context to the appearance of the Olubadan in the photographs and videos that generated the online debate.
Oba Ladoja travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah around the period of his 82nd birthday and first anniversary as Olubadan, choosing prayers and spiritual reflection over an elaborate celebration in Ibadan.
But as photographs and videos from the pilgrimage circulated online, attention quickly shifted to the absence of the traditional cap or crown normally associated with the monarch.
The images opened a wider debate about whether a Yoruba traditional ruler’s cultural responsibilities should affect the manner in which he practises his personal religion, particularly when the requirements of that religion differ from customary royal practices.
One X user, A. Adebanji, @prinxe_B, questioned the Olubadan’s appearance, writing:
“Olubadan in Mecca. To me, this is totally wrong. How can one of the most revered kings in the South-West travel to Mecca and appear with his head uncovered? I honestly doubt that the King of Mecca would do the same if he visited same venue”
Another user, @meothmans, responded:
“I think you’re an illiterate. seek for knowledge”
Prince Jay Ile Oodua, @DPrince_Jay, also questioned the monarch’s appearance, writing:
“Olubadan in Mecca for Umrah 2026. I just want to tell Oba Ladoja that the King of Saudi doesn’t open his head in Mecca or anywhere else.”
However, another user, Tom @MHassanTom, rejected that argument, insisting that the requirements of Ihram apply equally to monarchs.
“No king born of a woman can cover his head whilst in state of “ihram”, Saudi King inclusive. In the Holy precinct, there is only one Almighty King of the Universe who has dominion over everything and everyone. Your local chief is a commoner here !”
Another commentator, Adeshina Adetunji @Adisa382, approached the controversy from the perspective of Yoruba traditional institutions.
“Why is the Olubadan’s head uncovered?
Seeing the Olubadan appear this way is quite concerning, especially given the deep significance attached to traditional regalia and symbols of authority in Yoruba culture.
The Olubadan stool represents centuries of Yoruba history, customs, dignity, and traditional leadership. His appearance at public or ceremonial occasions should reflect the honour and prestige associated with the institution.
I honestly feel this does not adequately portray the dignity expected of such a revered traditional institution. Our traditional rulers are not merely individuals; they are custodians of our heritage, and every detail of their ceremonial appearance should command respect and preserve the cultural identity of the Yoruba people.”
Foundational Nupe Lawyer, @egi_nupe, questioned the criticism from another perspective:
“I am curious: what does freedom of religion mean to you people?”
Sherifdeen of Nigeria @AbuUbayy1 argued that Islamic obligations take precedence while a Muslim traditional ruler is performing the pilgrimage.
“As long as the Olubadan or any king or President still ascribe themselves to Islaam, they must practice both Umrah and Hajj according to Islamic rulings. Although the Olubadan is performing Umrah (lesser Hajj), Presidents, heads of state and kings, regardless of their status or class, who perform Hajj are required to participate in the rites of Hajj like every other pilgrim. At Muzdalifah, they sleep under the open sky, including beneath bridges or in other designated areas, just like millions of ordinary Muslims. Hajj is one of the clearest demonstrations of equality in Islam. Wealth, political power, royal status or social class does not exempt anyone from the prescribed rites. Before Allaah, the ruler and the ordinary citizen stand as pilgrims, fulfilling the same obligations. That is the beauty of Hajj. Islaam is not a religion that grants concession to some people because of their status in their society”.
Olukayode Bakre @kayodebakre8 also defended the Olubadan, arguing that royal status does not exempt a Muslim from religious requirements.
“My dear Brother, it’s always best to ask before getting involved in issues of other religions other than ours. There is no king in Kaaba. Only One God. Everyone, every single one, including the king of Saudi, must do same. In Kaaba, we are all slaves to one King who is our Maker.”
Akogun Smith @akogunsmith argued that Yoruba monarchs should be allowed to practise their individual faiths.
“You people should stop attacking our royal fathers for practicing their faiths or performing pilgrimages to Mecca or going to church. They have rights to worship what they believe even as a Yoruba king. Yoruba spirituality has no religion, and it was built on religious freedom as long as those beliefs don’t affect or attack other people like few Jihadists sponsored by Fulani are doing to steal our land and enslaves us like they did in Ilorin. Olubadan is a well-respected King and he’s very protective of Yoruba heritage and culture of religious freedom and prosperity for all. Olodumare has no religion, he supports both believers and nonbelievers of any religion.”
Another user, @Remarkablemuyi, raised the question of the spiritual responsibilities traditionally attached to kingship:
“Obas aren’t just rulers or monarch but also spiritual leaders if we are keeping it. The day you become oba, you are custodian of culture and gods even in some cultures you are a deity….”
The exchanges have consequently developed into a broader conversation about where personal religious freedom ends and the cultural responsibilities of a Yoruba monarch begin.
For critics, the Olubadan is not merely an individual Muslim but the custodian of an ancient traditional institution whose appearance and conduct carry cultural significance.
Those defending the monarch, however, argue that accepting a traditional stool does not deprive a king of his right to practise his religion or exempt him from the rules governing Islamic worship.
Official guidance from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah supports the religious explanation for the monarch’s uncovered head. Its Ihram guidance lists covering the head among the acts prohibited for male pilgrims while in the state of Ihram.
The controversy therefore brings two powerful aspects of Oba Ladoja’s identity into the public conversation: his position as the Olubadan and custodian of Ibadan’s traditional institution, and his personal faith as a practising Muslim performing one of Islam’s important acts of worship.
As photographs and videos from the pilgrimage continue to circulate, the debate among Nigerians remains centred not merely on an uncovered head, but on the larger question of how traditional authority, Yoruba cultural expectations and personal religious obligations coexist in modern kingship.
