The Story Behind Olubadan’s Rolls Royce: How Silent Billionaire Engr. Kola Karim Honoured Oba Ladoja Ahead of Coronation

In the days leading up to the grand coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (ARUSA I), Ibadan was buzzing with anticipation. Yet, one of the most captivating stories unfolded quietly—away from the drums and the palace crowds. A Rolls Royce, gleaming and regal, was delivered to the Olubadan-elect as his official royal car, a gift from one of Oyo State’s most enigmatic billionaires, Engr. Kola Karim.

The presentation of the luxury automobile ahead of the coronation instantly raised eyebrows and admiration in equal measure. Who was the man behind such an extraordinary gesture? The answer revealed not just a donor, but a figure whose life work has been steeped in silent influence and global success.

Kola Karim, Chairman of Shoreline Group, oversees a multi-billion-dollar industrial conglomerate spanning energy, infrastructure, and power across Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite his towering business profile and international affiliations—from serving on the Africa Advisory Board of the London Stock Exchange to being a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader—Karim has remained largely reserved in his home state, allowing his deeds rather than his words to speak for him.

For years, he has been a source of blessings to many—within and outside Oyo State—without fanfare. The Rolls Royce gift to Oba Ladoja is therefore more than an act of generosity; it is a reflection of the deep respect he holds for tradition, culture, and leadership.

In Ibadan, where wealth often walks quietly, Karim’s gesture also brought attention to the silent billionaires whose quiet influence sustains the pride and progress of the Yoruba race.

As the Rolls Royce rolled into the palace days before the coronation, it was not just a car—it was a story of loyalty, humility, and legacy. A silent billionaire had stepped out of the shadows, if only for a moment, to honor a king destined to reign.