Succession Dispute Emerges as Jide Kosoko Is Named Oloja of Lagos-Elect
A fresh succession controversy has emerged within the King Kosoko Royal Dynasty following the announcement of veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Prince Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect.
The announcement was made by the King Kosoko Royal Family, nearly eight years after 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, chiefs, 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 established palace customs. She publicly affirmed Kosoko’s emergence by raising his hand, accompanied by traditional prayers and rites.
She was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who also serves as the head of the Meshimo Ruling House.
However, the announcement has been met with opposition from another branch of the royal dynasty, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, which is pressing for the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the rightful Oloja of Lagos.
The Akinsanya Olojo Family has formally appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging him to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, whom they claim was duly selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020.
The appeal was conveyed in a letter addressed 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. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Speaking on behalf of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, its General Secretary, Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, said the family had submitted a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, calling for urgent government intervention.
He explained that after the death of Chief Ige, a 16-member committee was set up to review the succession process. According to him, the King Kosoko Royal Family later directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary and chieftaincy laws.
He added that a screening and traditional interview 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.
The kingmakers, he said, eventually adjudged Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the most qualified and declared him Oloja-elect in accordance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
Meanwhile, Prince Jide Kosoko is expected to undergo traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, in line with palace protocol and state customs.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Lagos State Government on the competing claims.
Prince Jide Kosoko is a graduate of Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology. He began his acting career in 1964 as a child actor in the television production Makanjuola and has since appeared in numerous Yoruba and English Nollywood films.
He is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected screen veterans.
