A Lagos ruling house, the Akinsanya Olojo Family, a branch of the King Kosoko Royal Dynasty, has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve and install Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the next Oloja of Lagos.
The family lamented that Prince Abiola was duly selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, yet remains uninstalled four years after his emergence.
The appeal was contained in a statement addressed to the governor and copied to key state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Justice and 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. The statement was signed by the General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House, Prince Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko.
The family stressed the need for the immediate installation of the Oloja, saying further delays were unnecessary and unjustified.
It noted that a follow-up letter dated November 28, 2025, had been submitted to relevant authorities, again demanding urgent action.
According to the ruling house, the stool became vacant following the death of Chief Adebola Idris Disu Ige on December 23, 2017, making the prompt installation of the chosen successor imperative.
It recalled that a 16-man committee had reviewed the succession process and directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to present a candidate in line with established customary and chieftaincy procedures.
Screening and traditional interviews were subsequently held at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, with four candidates participating: Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko, the late Prince Shola Olojo-Kosoko, Prince Issa Adeyemi Aregbesola, and Mr. Abiola Yakubu Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House.
The kingmakers concluded that Prince Abiola was the most qualified and declared him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in accordance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the extant 1983 Registered Declaration.
The family reaffirmed that neither the judgment of Justice Obadina of the Lagos State High Court nor that of the Court of Appeal invalidated the 1983 Registered Declaration, which outlines the succession framework.
They added that despite letters dated September 26, 2023, and February 20, 2024, reaffirming compliance with all statutory requirements, the state government has yet to issue approval for installation.
“At this stage, we are compelled to state clearly and firmly that it is the descendants of King Kosoko, the 10th King of Lagos and the 1st Oloja of Lagos, who are entitled to the throne,” the statement said.
“The Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House is next in line to present a candidate, and this tradition should be sustained for the dignity of the stool and in accordance with the Akarigbere class hierarchy. We hope to be invited for discussions to address the prolonged delay in the confirmation and installation of Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko.”
The family added that nothing would deter it from conducting itself with respect and in accordance with the laws guiding chieftaincy affairs in Lagos State.