Jide Kosoko becomes Oloja of Lagos-elect
By OUR REPORTER
The announcement was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs Mutiat Ali-Balogun.
The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Jide Kosoko as the Oloja of Lagos-elect.
The position became vacant after the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
Kosoko, 72, was formally presented on Sunday at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, where members of the royal family 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 keeping with palace tradition, Ali-Balogun raised Kosoko’s hand before the gathering, accompanied by customary rites and prayers.
The process was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who also heads the Meshimo Ruling House.
The declaration comes amid a succession dispute within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty. Another branch, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, has asked 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 said Abiola Olojo-Kosoko had been selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but had not been installed more than four years later.
The appeal was submitted in a formal letter to the governor and copied to several 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, reiterated the family’s position, adding that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, was sent to request urgent government action.
He said that after Chief Ige’s death, a 16-member committee was set up to examine the succession process.
According to him, the King Kosoko Royal Family later instructed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary and chieftaincy laws.
Olojo-Kosoko said screening and traditional interviews were held 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 added that the kingmakers eventually declared Abiola Olojo-Kosoko 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 palace protocols and state traditions.
