The Akinsanya Olojo Family, a ruling house in Lagos and a specific branch of the King Kosoko Royal Dynasty, has formally appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to grant approval for and proceed with the installation of Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as the next Oloja of Lagos.
The family expressed dismay that Prince Abiola, who was legitimately selected as the Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, remains uninstalled nearly four years after his emergence.
The appeal was communicated in a statement directed to the Governor and disseminated to several critical 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 officially signed by Prince Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, the General Secretary of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko Ruling House.
The family strongly asserted the necessity for the immediate installation of the Oloja, arguing that any additional delay is both unwarranted and unjustifiable.
They pointed out that a subsequent letter dated November 28, 2025, had already been submitted to the relevant authorities, again urging prompt action on the matter.
According to the ruling house, the stool became vacant following the passing of Chief Adebola Idris Disu Ige on December 23, 2017, which makes the timely enthronement of the selected successor an urgent necessity.
They recounted that a 16-member committee reviewed the succession protocol and directed the Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House to propose a candidate, strictly adhering to established customary and chieftaincy regulations.
Consequently, screening and traditional interviews were conducted at the Kosoko Palace on October 7, 2020, involving four contenders: 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 ultimately concluded that Prince Abiola was the most suitable candidate and proclaimed him Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, in full compliance with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the operative 1983 Registered Declaration.
The family reaffirmed that neither the ruling delivered by Justice Obadina of the Lagos State High Court nor the subsequent decision of the Court of Appeal invalidated the 1983 Registered Declaration, which establishes the framework for succession.
They added that despite official communications dated September 26, 2023, and February 20, 2024, confirming adherence to all statutory requirements, the state government has not yet issued the necessary approval for the installation.
The statement declared: “At this juncture, we are obligated to state clearly and emphatically that the descendants of King Kosoko, the 10th King of Lagos and the 1st Oloja of Lagos, are the only individuals entitled to the throne.”
It concluded, “The Akinsanya Olojo Ruling House is next in line to present a candidate, and this customary order must be preserved for the prestige of the stool and in alignment with the Akarigbere class hierarchy. We anticipate being invited for discussions to resolve the protracted delay concerning the confirmation and installation of Prince Abiola Olojo-Kosoko.”
The family assured that it would continue to conduct itself with dignity and in accordance with the laws governing chieftaincy affairs in Lagos State.
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