Simon Bako Lalong (Sen.)
Plateau | Senator
Plateau | Senator
Senator Simon Bako Lalong is a Nigerian politician, lawyer, administrator, and public servant who represents Plateau South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has held several important political positions at both state and federal levels.
Simon Bako Lalong was born on 5 May 1963 in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. He received his early education in Plateau State before pursuing higher education and professional training.
He studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree. He subsequently attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He later pursued further professional studies and obtained a Master's degree in Law.
After qualifying as a lawyer, Lalong began his professional career in legal practice. He developed experience in litigation, legal consultancy, administration, and public affairs before becoming actively involved in politics.
Lalong's political career began at the state level. He was elected as a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, representing Shendam Constituency. During his time in the state legislature, he rose to become Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, a position he held between 2000 and 2002.
As Speaker, Lalong was involved in legislative administration, lawmaking, oversight, and matters concerning governance in Plateau State. His experience in the state legislature provided him with an important foundation for his subsequent political career.
Lalong later became actively involved in national politics through the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the 2015 Plateau State governorship election, he contested under the APC and defeated the incumbent governor, Jonah Jang, becoming Governor of Plateau State.
He was sworn in as Governor of Plateau State on 29 May 2015. His administration focused on security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and economic development.
Security was a major priority during his tenure because of the conflicts and communal tensions affecting parts of Plateau State. His administration worked with security agencies and community stakeholders to promote peace, security, and reconciliation.
Lalong also pursued infrastructure projects across Plateau State, including road construction and rehabilitation, public buildings, healthcare facilities, and other developmental projects. His government also placed emphasis on agriculture and tourism as potential drivers of economic growth.
In the 2019 governorship election, Lalong was re-elected as Governor of Plateau State for a second term. He continued to focus on infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic development.
Following the completion of his second term as governor in May 2023, Lalong was appointed Minister of Labour and Employment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He served in the federal cabinet, where he was involved in matters relating to employment, labour relations, workers' welfare, and industrial relations.
Lalong later contested for the Plateau South Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general elections under the APC. He won the election and became a member of the 10th National Assembly.
As a senator, Lalong has participated in legislative debates, committee activities, oversight functions, and policy discussions. His areas of interest include security, labour and employment, infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, and economic development.
His constituency activities have also focused on supporting communities in Plateau South through programmes relating to education, youth empowerment, healthcare, skills acquisition, infrastructure, and economic development.
Beyond his legislative responsibilities, Senator Simon Bako Lalong remains active in Nigerian politics and the APC. His career has taken him through the Plateau State House of Assembly, state legislative leadership, governorship, federal ministerial service, and the Senate.
Through his experience as a lawyer, legislator, Speaker, governor, federal minister, and senator, Senator Simon Bako Lalong has established himself as a prominent political figure from Plateau State. His public career reflects a focus on good governance, security, infrastructure, employment, economic development, and effective representation of the people of Plateau South.