Sanusi Adebisi Idikan, one of Ibadan’s most influential figures, was born in 1882 during the reign of Aare Latoosa, the Baale of Ibadan. Despite his remarkable contributions to the city’s growth and prosperity, Adebisi’s legacy remains largely untold. He died in 1938, during the reign of his close friend and father-in-law, Olubadan Okunola Abass Aleshinloye, cementing his place in the history of Ibadan.
Adebisi was the youngest of three children. His father, Adesina, migrated from Efon Alaaye in present-day Ondo State, and had two older children, Adetinrin and Adeoti, who were 20 and 15 years older than Adebisi, respectively. The family settled in Ibadan, where Adebisi developed into an exceptional trader under his father’s guidance, selling “Aso Oke,” a traditional Yoruba fabric.
Adebisi’s entrepreneurial journey began early. He quickly demonstrated an innate talent for business, eventually surpassing his siblings and taking full responsibility for the family’s financial needs. As he gained prominence, he ventured into the cocoa trade, acquiring 400 acres of land in Ijebu for cocoa farming. His success in this field led to international recognition, and he became the sole distributor for the Miller brothers, British investors who sought his expertise in Nigeria’s booming cocoa industry.
In recognition of his success as a cocoa farmer and entrepreneur, Adebisi was made the Giwa Egbe (head of the society) by his peers, which included other notable merchants like Otiti, Ekolo, Afunleyin, and Ladimeji from Isale Ijebu, and Adeyemo Owonbuwo from Oopo-yeosa. He added “Giwa” to his name, becoming known as Sanusi Adebisi Giwa.
Despite his wealth and success, Adebisi remained deeply connected to the Ibadan community. One of his most significant contributions was his decision to pay the taxes of Ibadan residents who couldn’t afford them. At the time, tax defaulters were locked up and mistreated in Mapo Hall, but Adebisi took it upon himself to settle their debts, a charitable act he continued until his death.
Adebisi’s wealth allowed him to invest in large tracts of land, including 200 acres in Apata, Ibadan, where the NNPC depot stands today. His properties and business ventures stretched across cities like Ibadan, Iwo, Ife, and Benin. He also maintained strong ties to Lagos, where he purchased a home on No. 34, Whitman Street, Ebute Meta, which is still used for rental purposes today.
Despite his prominence, Adebisi rejected the idea of sending his children abroad for education, a decision that surprised many of his contemporaries. When Bishop Akinleye visited Adebisi to discuss the possibility of securing university admissions in Europe for his sons, Adebisi declined. He believed that “the man of means would always employ the man of knowledge,” suggesting that wealth, in his view, held more value than formal education.
Adebisi was also a family man, marrying six wives and fathering 17 children. His influence in the community extended to his family, with his descendants managing his vast estates and cocoa farms, some of which are still operational today. Adebisi also constructed a mosque in front of his house in Idikan, Ibadan further illustrating his commitment to his faith and community.
In his final days, Adebisi took great care to settle all his affairs. He ensured that all debts owed to him were canceled, burning the records to relieve his debtors. He also made detailed arrangements for his burial, requesting to be buried alongside his favorite horses at a location he personally selected.
Adebisi passed away in 1938, and though he slept peacefully and never woke, his legacy continues to shape the history of Ibadan. His house in the Idikan area of Ibadan, which he owned in its entirety, still stands, with one of his surviving children living there. Out of his 17 children, only three remain alive today, but his influence lives on through his descendants spread across the globe.
Sanusi Adebisi Giwa, though unlearned, was a giant of his time, whose contributions to commerce, philanthropy, and community welfare have left an indelible mark on Ibadan’s history. From his role as Giwa of the cocoa merchants to his philanthropic efforts, Adebisi’s story is one of remarkable success and service to others.
Report by JEDIDAH OGIDI for IbadanCity ANNOUNCER.
Photos by Rasaq Boladale Raheem for IbadanCity ANNOUNCER
