As Osun State prepares for the August 15, 2026 governorship election, Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam is among the candidates seeking to become the next governor of the state.
Salaam, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has a background spanning politics, academia and public administration.
He previously served as Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and has also held positions at the federal level.
Here are 12 facts about the ADC candidate.
1. He was born in Ejigbo
Najeem Folasayo Salaam was born on August 8, 1965, in Ejigbo, Osun State.
He had his early years in the town before proceeding with his education and professional career.
2. He lost his parents at a young age
Salaam experienced the loss of both parents while he was still a child.
He reportedly lost his father at the age of two and his mother when he was 10.
Following the death of his parents, he was raised by his maternal aunt.
3. He attended schools in Ejigbo
Salaam began his formal education at Ansar-U-Deen Primary School in Ejigbo.
He later attended Baptist High School, Ejigbo, where he completed his secondary education.
4. He has a background in Political Science
Salaam pursued higher education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he studied Political Science.
He went on to obtain postgraduate qualifications, including a PhD in Political Science.
His academic background has been a notable part of his career alongside his involvement in politics.
5. He has written on government and politics
Salaam is also associated with academic writing.
He co-authored Rudiments of Government and Politics, a publication focused on government and political studies.
6. He served as Speaker of the Osun Assembly
Following the 2011 general election, Salaam became a member of the Osun State House of Assembly.
He was subsequently elected Speaker of the fifth Assembly.
He retained the position after the 2015 election and served as Speaker until 2018.
7. He held a position with the Conference of Speakers
Salaam also served at the national level within the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.
He was appointed Chairman of its Caretaker Committee in 2012.
The position gave him an opportunity to participate in discussions involving state legislatures across the country.
8. He worked with Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited
After his time in the state legislature, Salaam moved into another area of public service.
He served as Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, at Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited.
The organisation is responsible for Nigeriaâs government-owned communications satellite operations.
9. He is known as âIwaloyeâ
Salaam is popularly referred to as âIwaloyeâ by supporters and political associates.
The name has become associated with his political activities in Osun State.
10. He is contesting under the ADC
Salaam is the African Democratic Congress candidate for the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election.
His candidacy puts him among the politicians seeking to take control of the state in the forthcoming election.
11. His campaign has outlined a 10-point agenda
Salaamâs campaign has presented a 10-point development agenda covering areas including education, employment, security, infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.
Other areas identified in the programme include economic development, social welfare, good governance and institutional reforms.
The agenda represents the policy priorities his campaign says it would pursue if elected.
12. He is seeking to become governor of Osun
The governorship election will be another major test of Salaamâs political career.
His previous experience includes serving in the state legislature, leading the Osun State House of Assembly and working in federal public service.
He is now seeking to translate that experience into an electoral mandate from Osun voters.
The election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with voters expected to choose among the candidates contesting the governorship.
The outcome will determine who succeeds the incumbent administration and leads Osun State for the next four years.
Fresh News will continue to provide updates on the Osun governorship election, the candidates and major developments ahead of the poll.
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