By Ghazali Ibrahim
Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has formally been declared Oloja of Lagos-Elect by the King Kosoko Royal Family, reviving long-standing tensions over the historic traditional stool that has been vacant for years.
The announcement was made on January 27, 2026, at the Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, where members of the royal family gathered to present Prince Abdulrafiu Babajide Akanni Kosoko as their chosen Oloja-Elect in a ceremony rooted in longstanding custom. The title, one of the most revered in Lagos history predates colonial rule and symbolizes leadership and cultural heritage tied to the lineage of King Kosoko.
But the move has sparked controversy because another member of the dynasty, Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, was selected as Oloja-Elect by the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Royal House back in December 2020, after traditional screening and interviews. His family has repeatedly appealed to the Lagos State Government to approve his formal installation, insisting that the stool has remained vacant since late Chief Adebola Ige’s death on December 23, 2017 and that state authorities have delayed action for years.
Royal observers say the prolonged delay in installing the earlier Oloja-elect has left the institution in limbo, with the Akinsanya ruling house urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and uphold customary succession as defined by the 1983 Registered Declaration governing Lagos chieftaincy succession.
Jide Kosoko, a prince of the Kosoko dynasty and celebrated screen icon was previously appointed head of the Oteniya branch of the King Kosoko Royal Family in October 2024, a ceremonial leadership position within the broader royal structure.
Supporters of Prince Abiola’s claim argue that his selection more than five years ago should have led to installation long before the latest declaration, while allies of the recent announcement frame it as a reaffirmation of cultural heritage and continuity.
The dual claims to the Oloja of Lagos title reflect deeper questions about tradition, governance, and the role of government in recognising and formalising ancient custodial roles.
As the drama unfolds, calls for official clarification and resolution from state authorities are growing louder among stakeholders in Lagos’s traditional institutions.
