Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has been selected by the King Kosoko Royal Family as the Oloja of Lagos-elect.
The announcement was made on Monday at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, where members of the royal family gathered for the formal unveiling.
The presentation was led by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mutiat Ali-Balogun, who raised the hand of Kosoko’s daughter as a symbolic affirmation of the family’s decision. She was joined by the Deputy Olori Ebi General and head of the Meshimo Ruling House, Oyindamola Ayepola.
According to family members, the selection followed established customs and the legal guidelines governing the choice of a new Oloja of Lagos. The stool has remained vacant since the death of Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
A 16-member committee was set up to oversee the succession process. In October 2020, the committee invited eligible princes from the Akinsanya Olojo Kosoko Ruling House to the palace for screening, with four princes participating.
After several meetings and deliberations, the committee agreed that Kosoko was the most suitable candidate in line with tradition, the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law, and the 1983 Registered Declaration on succession.
Following his selection, members of the ruling house said they made formal moves to the Lagos State Government seeking approval for his installation and capping.
The next stage is the traditional installation and capping ceremony, which is expected to be carried out by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, in accordance with palace customs.
Kosoko, now in his seventies, began his acting career as a child in 1964 and has since built a long-standing career in theatre, film and television as an actor, director and producer.
