12 Facts About Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam, ADC Osun 2026 Governorship Candidate

From orphaned child to professor, lawmaker and now governorship contender, Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam’s journey is one of resilience, scholarship and public service.

As Osun State prepares for its crucial August 15, 2026 governorship election, much of the spotlight has focused on the two dominant parties.

Yet, quietly mounting what he describes as a credible alternative is Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Popularly known as “Iwaloye”, Salaam is no stranger to Osun politics. A former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, political scientist and public administrator, he is seeking to convince voters that his years in government and academia have prepared him to lead the State.

Here are 12 things to know about the ADC flagbearer.

1. He was born in Ejigbo, Osun State

Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam was born on August 8, 1965, in Ejigbo, Osun State, where he spent his early years before embarking on a career that combined academics and politics.

2. He lost both parents at a young age

Salaam’s childhood was marked by tragedy. He lost his father at the age of two and his mother at 10, after which he was raised by his maternal aunt.

He has often cited those early hardships as shaping his resilience and determination.

3. He attended school in his hometown

He began his education at Ansar-U-Deen Primary School, Ejigbo, before proceeding to Baptist High School, Ejigbo, where he completed his secondary education.

4. He is one of the few Osun politicians with a PhD in Political Science

Salaam pursued higher education at Obafemi Awolowo University, earning advanced degrees culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science.

His academic background has distinguished him from many career politicians.

5. He is an author

Beyond politics, Salaam has contributed to scholarship by co-authoring Rudiments of Government and Politics, a textbook used by students studying government and political science.

6. He became Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly

Following the 2011 general election, Salaam was unanimously elected Speaker of the 5th Osun State House of Assembly.

He was re-elected in 2015 and remained Speaker until 2018, making him one of the state’s longest-serving legislative leaders.

7. He held important national appointments

After leaving the State Assembly, Salaam served as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria in 2012.

He later became Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development at Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, where he contributed to expanding the government’s satellite communications initiatives.

8. He is popularly known as “Iwaloye”

Supporters across Osun know him by the nickname “Iwaloye”, a title that has become synonymous with his political identity and grassroots mobilisation.

9. He is flying the ADC flag in the 2026 election

Salaam emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after securing the party’s ticket ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

His candidacy positions the ADC as one of the leading alternatives to the two major parties in the State.

10. He is campaigning on a 10-point development agenda

His campaign is centred on a 10-point agenda that prioritises:

Education reform
Youth employment and empowerment
Security
Infrastructure renewal
Economic growth
Healthcare improvement
Agricultural development
Social welfare
Good governance
Institutional reforms

He says the programme is designed to deliver inclusive development across Osun.

11. He combines academia with politics

Unlike many politicians, Salaam has maintained a reputation as both an academic and public servant.

His supporters argue that his blend of intellectual training, legislative experience and executive administration gives him a broad understanding of governance.

12. He hopes to break the dominance of the major parties

The 2026 Osun governorship election is widely viewed as a contest dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Salaam, however, believes the ADC can provide a credible third-force alternative by appealing to voters seeking fresh leadership, policy-driven governance and a departure from the state’s traditional political rivalry.

Whether that message resonates with the electorate will become clear when Osun voters head to the polls on August 15.