The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect. The title became vacant after the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
Kosoko (72) was officially presented at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, during a ceremony attended by royal family members and supporters. The announcement was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mutiat Ali-Balogun. 
As part of palace tradition, Ali-Balogun raised Kosoko’s hand before those present, while prayers and customary rites were performed. She was joined by the Deputy Olori Ebi General, Oyindamola Ayepola, who is also the head of the Meshimo Ruling House.
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The Kosoko Royal Family Dispute
However, the announcement has come at a time of disagreement within the larger King Kosoko Royal Dynasty.
Another branch of the family, the Akinsanya Olojo Family opposed the decision and wrote to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asking him to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos.
The Akinsanya Olojo Family said Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was chosen as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but has still not been installed more than four years later.
Their request was sent in a formal letter to the governor and copied to other top state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney-General, 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.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, said another letter dated November 28, 2025, was later sent to push for urgent government action.
He explained that after Chief Ige’s death, a 16 member committee was set up to handle the succession process. According to him, the King Kosoko Royal Family later asked the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a candidate in line with tradition and state chieftaincy laws.
He added that a screening and traditional interview held at the palace on October 7, 2020, involved four contenders: Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola, and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House. After the process, Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was reportedly selected as the most qualified and declared Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in line with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
On the other hand, Jide Kosoko will undergo traditional rites and be officially installed by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu. This will be done according to the palace customs and state traditions.
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