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Prince Jide Kosoko (born 12 January 1954) is a Nigerian actor, producer, and director. He is best known for his roles in Nollywood blockbusters including Asiri Nla, Jenifa, King of Boys, and The Bling Lagosians.
Kosoko has starred in over 200 films and television productions, including Nkan La and Perfect Murder. He has also appeared in The Figurine, The Meeting, Last Flight to Abuja, and Anikulapo.
| Jide Kosoko | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Prince Abdulrafiu Babajide Akanni Kosoko |
| Born: | 12 January 1954 (age 72 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Lagos State |
| Citizenship: | Nigerian |
| Education: | Yaba College of Technology |
| Occupation: | Actor, producer, director |
| Years active: | 1964–date |
| Spouse: | Karimat Kosoko |
| Children: | 12 |
Early Life
Jide Kosoko was born on 12 January 1954 in Lagos State to the Kosoko Royal Family of Lagos Island. He grew up in Ebute Metta.
Education
Kosoko attended Hoares Methodist Primary School at Sabo, Yaba. He studied Business Administration at Yaba College of Technology. He returned to school at 60 to study performing arts at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Career
Kosoko made his television debut in 1964 as Alabi in the tele-movie Makanjuola after an acquaintance from the Ifelodun travelling theatre group invited him to audition.
He performed with the Awada Kerikeri group, which consisted of comic actor Sunday Omobolanle, Lanre Hassan (aka Iya Awero), and Adebayo Salami (aka Oga Bello). He made a guest appearance on the television show, ‘New Masquerade’.
In 1972, Jide Kosoko formed a theatre group called the Babkok Group, which he later renamed the Jide Kosoko Theatre Group. He funded it with his salary from his job at a Lagos shipping company.
In 1987, Jide shot his first movie, Ojiji, on celluloid, but later did it in home video. He has also worked at several companies. He worked as the General Manager of Steve Industrial Company Limited, Apapa, before voluntarily resigning.
Kosoko produced the 1992 film Asiri Nla and starred in Asewo to re Mecca and Ti Oluwa Ni’Le 2. He transitioned effortlessly into modern Nollywood cinema, starring as Alhaji Salami in King of Boys (2018) and as Chief Williams in Jenifa (2008).
He played Chief Omole in the 2018 action-comedy film Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons. His film credits also include Mr Oni in Funke! (2018), Chief Akinwunmi in The Vendor (2018), and Baba Headmaster in the television series My Siblings and I.
Prince Jide Kosoko played Chief Segun Adeniyi in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, which screened at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.
The veteran actor received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 City People Movie Awards in Abeokuta. He was nominated for Outstanding Male Actor in Love Castle at the 2021 Abuja International Film Festival.
Kosoko has served as president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP). He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).
Prince Jide Kosoko was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Creative and Performing Arts by the Achievers Network UK Academy.
He portrayed Palace Chief in the 2026 action biography film King Kosoko: The Battle for Lagos, directed by Adebayo Tijani. He has starred in many TV commercials and served as a brand ambassador for several brands and companies, including Chivita and Western Lotto.
On 27 January 2026, the King Kosoko Royal Family declared Jide Kosoko the Oloja of Lagos-elect, a position vacant since Chief Adebola Ige passed in 2017.
Personal Life
Jide Kosoko is married to Alhaja Karimat Kosoko. He has faced the personal tragedy of losing three of his wives. His first wife passed away in October 1992, and his second wife passed away during childbirth in November 1993.
He later married actress Henrietta and Karimat Kosoko. His wife, Henrietta, passed in 2016 after a battle with diabetes. He has 12 children, including actors Sola Kosoko-Abina and Bidemi Kosoko, and some grandchildren. He was diagnosed with and has been battling diabetes since 1996.
Filmography
- King Kosoko: The Battle for Lagos (2026)
- Arun (2025)
- Lothario (2025)
- Son of Iron (2025)
- The Exco (2025)
- Níní (2025)
- Her Excellency (2025)
- Dear Future Me (2025)
- The Journey (2025)
- Out in the Darkness (2025)
- Àdùnní: Ògìdán Bìnrin (2025)
- Aso Ebi Diaries (2025)
- Makemation (2025)
- Ori Ade Fadaka (2025)
- I Married A Crazy Man (2025)
- Devil in Disguise (2025)
- Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024)
- Seven Doors (2024)
- Singleness is Bliss (2024)
- Ogbedun (2024)
- Wole Soyinka Eni Ogun (2024)
- Agemo (2024)
- Life and Dirt (2024)
- Awoye (2024)
- American Japa (2024)
- Emphemeral (2024)
- Ekpebiwo m (2024)
- American Playboy (2024)
- Behind Closed Doors (2024)
- Dolapo Douglas (2024)
- Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (2024)
- The Way We Were (2024)
- Blacksmith: Alagbede (2024)
- Safe (2024)
- The Suyis (2024)
- Adiye Agbebo (2024)
- Angel Eyes (2024)
- Gbàràdá (2023)
- Ogeere (2023)
- Shattered Innocence (2023)
- Finding Odera (2023)
- Merry Men 3: Nemesis (2023)
- Heart Strings (2023)
- The Reverse (2023)
- A Bag of Trouble (2023)
- Beyond Desire (2023)
- Deity (2023)
- Abere (2023)
- Care for Me (2023)
- Maniac (2023)
- Discreet Affair (2023)
- Different Strokes (2023)
- Atunwa (2023)
- Arodan (2023)
- To Freedom (2023)
- The Contract (2022)
- Alagbara (2022)
- Rising: City of Dreams (2022)
- U-Turn (2022)
- Crazy Therapy (2022)
- Almajiri (2022)
- Inside Life (2022)
- One Too Many (2022)
- Beckma (2022)
- réBIRTH (2022)
- Rainbows (2022)
- Chasing Shadows (2022)
- The Stand Up (2022)
- Gbege (2022)
- Misdeed (2022)
- Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman (2022)
- Passport (2022)
- Not Too Old to Play (2022)
- Love Trap (2022)
- Pelumi Jonathan (2022)
- The Wildflower (2022)
- Desires (2022)
- Strangers (2022)
- Wasila Coded Reloaded (2022)
- Omoge Carwash (2022)
- Luckily Unfortunate (2022)
- Ekun Iyawo (2022)
- Kiki’s Dilemma (2021)
- Battle Within (2021)
- Shattered (2021)
- The Reckoner (2021)
- Two Idiots (2021)
- Sin (2021)
- Mofe Ni Mofe (2021)
- Love Castle (2021)
- Shadow Parties (2021)
- The Fourth Party (2021)
- President Kuti (2021)
- Daddies Face Off (2021)
- Trips (2021)
- Mimi (2021)
- The Mystic River (2021)
- All Na Vibes (2021)
- Honeymoon Palava (2021)
- Breaded Life (2021)
References
- Seye Kehinde. “The JIDE KOSOKO 70th Birthday Interview“. City People Online.
- PM News Live. “Jide Kosoko: Profile of Nollywood Royalty“. P.M. News.
- “Prince Jide Kosoko“. Dawn Commission.
- Olasunkanmi Akoni. “Nollywood star, Jide Kosoko emerges Oloja-elect of Lagos“. Vanguard.
- “How Ogunde inspired me into acting – Veteran actor Jide Kosoko“. The Nation.
- Ovwe Medeme. “Jide Kosoko Resumes As Chairman Of NDEAL“. Independent Newspaper.
- Musa Adekunle. “I’ve been diabetic since 1996 — Jide Kosoko“. Guardian Life.
- Chidinma Enweani. “Jide Kosoko defends Tinubu, urges Nigerians to give him more time“. Guardian Life.
- Oluseyi Awojulugbe. “In all, death has snatched 3 wives from Jide Kosoko“. The Cable.
- Friday Omosola. “I lost three wives in different circumstances – Jide Kosoko debunks polygamy rumours“. Premium Times.
- City People. “2 Hours With Movie Icons, Jide Kosoko & Yinka Quadri“. City People Online.
