The King Kosoko Royal Family has declared veteran Nigerian actor and director, Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, PMexpress reported.
The announcement was made at the King Kosoko Palace, Ereko, Lagos Island, where hundreds of royal family members gathered to witness the declaration.
The 72-year-old actor was formally presented to the gathering by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mutiat Ali-Balogun. In line with palace tradition, Mrs Ali-Balogun raised her father’s hand to actress Sola Kosoko, affirming the declaration. She was assisted by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who is also the Head of Meshimo Ruling House.
The Oloja stool has been vacant since the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
This declaration comes amid a parallel appeal by the Akinsanya Olojo Family, a branch of the King Kosoko Royal Dynasty, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the next Oloja of Lagos.
In December 2025, The Punch reported that the family claimed Mr Abiola was chosen as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but had not been installed more than four years later. The family had formally petitioned the governor and relevant state officials for urgent intervention.
The succession process after the death of Chief Adebola Ige saw a 16-member committee review the chieftaincy process. The King Kosoko Royal Family then instructed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee following customary procedures. During the screening and traditional interviews held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, four contenders were considered: Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola, and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House.
The kingmakers reportedly found Mr Abiola to be the most qualified, declaring him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
Jide Kosoko now awaits his traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, following Lagos State traditions and palace protocols.
The actor began his career as a child actor in 1964 with the television production Makanjuola. He later studied business administration at Yaba College of Technology and has featured in numerous Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba.
