His Royal Majesty Oba (Sir) Ladapo Samuel Ademola II, the Alake of Egbaland, one of the most influential Yoruba monarchs of the twentieth century, with his son, Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola, KBE, GCON, PC, SAN, circa 1959.

Sir Adetokunbo Ademola became the first indigenous Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1958, succeeding Sir Stafford Foster-Sutton. He held the office until 1972, guiding the judiciary through the country’s transition from colonial rule to independence.

Beyond the bench, he also contributed to academia, serving as the pioneer Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1960 to 1972, and later as Chancellor of the University of Benin from 1972.