The 72-year-old actor was formally presented as Oloja-elect at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, before a large gathering of royal family members and well-wishers. The announcement was made by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs. Mutiat Ali-Balogun, who raised Kosoko’s hand in affirmation during the ceremony, in accordance with long-standing palace customs. The rites were accompanied by traditional prayers, with support from Deputy Olori Ebi General Oyindamola Ayepola, who also heads the Meshimo Ruling House.
The declaration comes amid an ongoing dispute over succession within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty. Another branch of the royal family, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, has been pressing for government intervention to install Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos. In a letter addressed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and copied to several key state officials, the family insisted that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, but has not yet been installed more than four years later.
The Akinsanya Olojo Family’s position was reiterated by Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, who said a follow-up letter was submitted on November 28, 2025, urging urgent government action. He explained that after Chief Ige’s death, a 16-member committee was formed to review the succession process and directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary laws.
Olojo-Kosoko stated that screening and traditional interviews were held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, where four aspirants were considered. These included Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola, and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House. The kingmakers later adjudged Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the most qualified and declared him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, citing compliance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
Meanwhile, the newly declared Oloja-elect, Jide Kosoko, is expected to undergo traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, in line with palace protocols and state traditions.
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 starred in numerous Nollywood films in both English and Yoruba, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s most respected screen veterans.