The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Prince Jide Kosoko as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, following years of vacancy and controversy surrounding the traditional title.
The stool became vacant after the death of Chief Adebola Ige on 23 December 2017. Kosoko, aged 72, was formally presented as Oloja-elect at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, before a large gathering of royal family members and supporters.
The declaration was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs Mutiat Ali-Balogun, who affirmed the decision by raising Kosoko’s hand in line with long-established palace customs, accompanied by traditional rites and prayers.
She was supported by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Mrs Oyindamola Ayepola, who also heads the Meshimo Ruling House.
The development comes amid an ongoing succession dispute within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty. Another faction, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, has petitioned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos.
The family insists that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was selected as Oloja-elect on 12 December 2020, but has not been installed more than four years later.
This position was restated in letters addressed to the governor and copied to key state officials, including 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.
According to the General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Mr Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, a 16-member committee was set up after Chief Ige’s death to review the succession process.
He said that following screening and traditional interviews held at the Kosoko Palace in October 2020, Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was adjudged the most qualified candidate in line 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 accordance with palace protocol and state tradition.
Prince Kosoko, a graduate of Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology, began his acting career in 1964 as a child actor in the television production Makanjuola.
He has since featured in numerous English- and Yoruba-language films and is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most respected screen veterans.