The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Prince Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect.
The stool 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, during a ceremony attended by royal family members, traditional chiefs, and well-wishers.
The declaration was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs. Mutiat Ali-Balogun, who, in line with long-standing palace customs, raised Kosoko’s hand in affirmation amid traditional rites and prayers. She was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who also heads the Meshimo Ruling House.
However, the announcement comes amid an ongoing succession dispute within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty.
Another branch of the royal house, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, 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 reiterated that 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 contained in a formal letter addressed to the governor and copied to key government 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.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, confirmed that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, was also submitted, seeking urgent government intervention.
He explained that following the death of Chief Ige, a 16-member committee was constituted to review the succession process. After its deliberations, the King Kosoko Royal Family reportedly directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in accordance with customary and chieftaincy laws.
According to him, traditional screening and interviews were conducted at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, involving 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 declared Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the most qualified and announced him as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in line 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 accordance with established palace protocols and state traditions.
Prince Jide 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 appeared in numerous Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s most respected screen veterans.
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