By Poju Ezra
A fierce succession dispute is raging within the King Kosoko Royal Dynasty of Eko, otherwise known as Lagos. The disturbing crisis has to do with the moves of the royal family to rightfully fill the vacant position of Oloja of Lagos. According to Lagos tradition and the provisions of the State’s Obas and Chiefs Act, it is preserved right of the Kosoko family to present for the enthronement, a candidate in the event of a vacancy on the Olojo Stool. The position became vacant after the death of Chief Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
Following almost a decade of meetings, resolutions and agreements within the various branches of the larger Kosoko dynasty, in December 2025, the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Family announced that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko had been selected as Oloja-Elect of Lagos on December 12, 2020. The announcement reportedly received the endorsements of the larger Kosoko clan and steps were taken towards getting government approval for his installation in line with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration.
But more than four years after his nomination, Abiola had not been installed. And in a now disputed twist, the King Kosoko Royal Family last week announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Jide Kosoko as the Oloja-Elect of Lagos. The Nollywood thespian was formally presented at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, to members of the royal family and the entire public amid joyous celebrations.
The Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mrs Mutiatu Ali-Balogun, made the declaration. In the midst of customary rites performed by family elders, she raised Kosoko’s hand before the gathering and declared him the ‘Omo Oye’ for the Oloja Stool. Also participating actively was the Deputy Olori Ebi General and head of the Meshimo Ruling House, Oyindamola Ayepola. Speakers at the gathering refuted any earlier declaration as null and void as it was not done by the larger Kosoko dynasty and called on the state government to promptly approve the installation of Prince Jide Kosoko as the new Oloja of Lagos.
Expectedly, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, kicked against Jide Kosoko’s nomination while urging the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ignore the fresh nomination and approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos. The appeal came in the form of a formal letter submitted to the governor. The letter was also copied to several state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, 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.
The General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, reiterated the family’s position, adding that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, was sent to request urgent government action. “After Chief Ige’s death in 2017, a committee of sixteen members was set up to look into the succession process. After a thought examination and reports, the larger King Kosoko Royal Family instructed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a nominee in line with customary and chieftaincy laws,” he recalled.
Speaking further, the family scribe added that screening and traditional interviews were held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, involving four aspirants: Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola, and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House. According to him, the kingmakers eventually declared Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja-Elect on December 12, 2020.
There is serious anxiety in the family and the Kosoko communities of Lagos as Jide Kosoko camp is reportedly planning to commence traditional installation and capping rites which has earlier reportedly been done by Abiola Kosoko at the same place last year in accordance with family tradition and protocols. According to reports, some family elders and youths have vowed not to allow such traditional rites to take place twice in quick succession as it is a taboo. “We won’t watch and let this sacrilege happen.
They should go and resolve the issue amicably. The rites cannot be repeated indiscriminately. It is a taboo and our ancestors will drown at such. We have not lost an Oloja and we are not praying that anyone among us should die,” a family elder told our reporter.
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