The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nigerian actor and director, Prince Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect.
The declaration was made at the King Kosoko Palace, Ereko, Lagos Island, before a large gathering of royal family members and well-wishers. The stool became vacant following the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
Prince Kosoko, 72, was formally presented to the assembly by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs Mutiat Ali-Balogun, in line with long-established palace customs. In a symbolic affirmation, Mrs Ali-Balogun raised her father’s hand to actress Sola Kosoko amid traditional rites and prayers.
She was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Mrs Oyindamola Ayepola, who also serves as the Head of the Meshimo Ruling House.
The announcement comes amid ongoing appeals by the Akinsanya Olojo Family, a branch of the King Kosoko Royal Dynasty, calling on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the Oloja of Lagos.
In December 2025, The Punch reported that the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko family insisted that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but had yet to be installed more than four years later.
The family’s appeal was contained in a formal letter addressed to the governor and circulated 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.
Speaking on the matter, the General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Mr Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, disclosed that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, had been submitted to relevant authorities, seeking urgent intervention.
Succession Process
According to him, following the death of Chief Adebola Ige, a 16-member committee was set up to review the succession process. The King Kosoko Royal Family subsequently directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with established customary and chieftaincy procedures.
He explained that traditional screening and interviews held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, involved four contenders: Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola, and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House. At the end of the process, the kingmakers reportedly adjudged Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the most qualified and proclaimed him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in accordance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
Awaiting Installation
Meanwhile, Prince Jide Kosoko is expected to undergo traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in line with established customs and palace protocols.
Prince Kosoko, a graduate of Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology, began his acting career as a child actor in 1964 with the television production Makanjuola.
He has since featured in numerous Nollywood productions in both English and Yoruba languages, earning widespread acclaim for his contributions to Nigeria’s film industry.
