History of the Club

Ibadan Dining Club is a league of gentlemen, was formed in the 1940s with the objective to afford an opportunity for members to meet one another socially at Dinner or Luncheon at least once a month. The early members of the Club were drawn mainly from the colonial civil services; the foreign service, the academia and the business world, in Ibadan and its environs.

They included Chief Simeon Adebo, a foremost administrator and Head of Service of Western Region; Sir Olumuyiwa Jibowu, then Chief Justice of Western Region; Honourable Justice R.A. Doherty, a Judge of the Western Region judiciary, Chief S. Ade-Ojo, of the Western Region civil service; Professor Oladele Ajose, the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The Ibadan Dining Club continues to live up to the ideals of the founding fathers. Through the Club, more harmonious relationship has since been fostered among Nigerians and non-Nigerians in top positions as well as between the public, including Agencies of Government and private sectors/individuals in Ibadan and its environs. Current membership of the Club includes, Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, Emeritus Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, Dr. Anthony Marinho, General Oladayo Popoola (retd), Brig, Gen Ola Oni (retd), Colonel Anifowose (retd); Emeritus Professor Onadeko, Mr. Tunde Aiku SAN, Professor Olubunmi Olapade-Olaopa, Mr. Abel Abimbola, Architect Muyiwa Ige and many academics and other professionals from various fields of expertise, in the community.

Some of our deceased members are Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, Professor J. F. Ade Ajayi, Archdeacon Emmanuel Alayande, Archdeacon Abiodun Iluyomade, Engr. C.S. O. Akande, General S. Tuoyo (retd), High Chief A. D. S. Odigie, Mr. Anthony Aneni, Over the years, we have enjoyed the company of the sitting Ambassador of United States of America, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Mechanised Division of Nigeria Army, the Commissioner of Police, The State Director, Department of State Services, Comptroller of Immigration, who are statutory members of the Club, along with other heads of Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, resident in Ibadan.

We meet on the last Monday of every month except in November when we host our spouses and other guests at a Gala Nite. No meeting is held in December. We hold our meetings in hotels and other high-profile restaurants, where we consider secure and befitting for the ideals of the Club and members. During our meetings, over dinner and drinks we discuss pertinent current issues in the economy, health and business while political matters are avoided. Suggestions at our meeting have been found to be useful to some government agencies and foreign embassies in Nigeria. At each meeting, we listen to invited guests and members to speak on non-political, non-religious issues that may benefit members.