The King Kosoko Royal Family has formally announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Jide Kosoko as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, filling a traditional position that has remained vacant since the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
Kosoko, 72, was presented on Sunday at the historic King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, where members of the royal household, family leaders, and supporters gathered for the declaration. The announcement 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 symbolically raised Kosoko’s hand before the assembly, accompanied by traditional rites and prayers signifying royal endorsement. The process was reinforced by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who also serves as head of the Meshimo Ruling House.
However, the declaration has further highlighted an unresolved succession dispute within the broader King Kosoko Royal Dynasty. A rival branch, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, is contesting the process and has petitioned Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos.
In December 2025, the Akinsanya Olojo Family stated that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko had been selected as Oloja-elect as far back as December 12, 2020, but had yet to be installed more than four years later.
The family’s 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 stance, disclosing that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, was also sent to press for urgent government intervention.
According to him, following Chief Ige’s death, a 16-member committee was constituted to review the succession process, adding that the King Kosoko Royal Family later directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary practices and chieftaincy laws.
Olojo-Kosoko further explained that screening and traditional 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 maintained that the kingmakers eventually declared Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as 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 rites and formal capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, subject to palace protocol and statutory approval.