The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect.
The position became vacant following the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
Kosoko, 72, was formally presented as Oloja-elect at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, in the presence of a large gathering of royal family members and well-wishers.
The declaration was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs Mutiat Ali-Balogun.
In line with long-established palace customs, Ali-Balogun raised Kosoko’s hand in affirmation before the assembly, accompanied by traditional rites and prayers. She was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who also heads the Meshimo Ruling House.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing succession dispute within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty. The Akinsanya Olojo Family, another branch of the royal house, has appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos.
In December 2025, the Akinsanya Olojo Family insisted Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but has yet to be installed more than four years later.
The appeal was conveyed in a formal letter to the governor and copied to key state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, and the Council of Heads of the Kosoko Royal Family.
The General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, reaffirmed the family’s position, noting that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, was submitted to press for urgent government intervention.
He explained that after the death of Chief Ige, a 16-member committee was constituted to review the succession process.
Following its work, the King Kosoko Royal Family reportedly directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary and chieftaincy laws.
According to Olojo-Kosoko, screening and traditional interviews held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, featured four aspirants: Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House. He said the kingmakers subsequently adjudged Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the most qualified and declared him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in accordance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
Meanwhile, Jide Kosoko is expected to undergo traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, in line with established palace protocols and state traditions.
Kosoko, a graduate of Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology, began his acting career in 1964 as a child actor in the television production Makanjuola. He has since featured in numerous Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba languages, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s most respected screen veterans.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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