There is a particular kind of Nigerian politician who earns the love of the people not through grand speeches or television appearances, but through the quiet, consistent work of showing up for communities long before the cameras arrive.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, widely known by his popular alias Yayi, belongs firmly to that category. From a modest upbringing in Alimosho, Lagos, to becoming one of the most powerful voices in Nigeria’s National Assembly, his story is about patience, discipline, and a genuine commitment to the people he serves.
He has climbed every rung of the legislative ladder, from the Lagos State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives, and now deep into his Senate career, representing two different states. In 2026, he was named Sun Newspapers Man of the Year, a recognition that reflects how far this chartered accountant turned lawmaker has come.
Who Is Solomon Olamilekan Adeola
Solomon Olamilekan Adeola is a Nigerian politician, chartered accountant, and entrepreneur who currently serves as the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress.
He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, one of the most consequential positions in the Nigerian legislature, overseeing how the federal government plans and allocates public resources.
Before his current seat, he spent two terms as Senator for Lagos West from 2015 to 2023. He is also a former member of the House of Representatives and a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, making him one of the very few Nigerians to have served at all three levels of the legislative branch.
His nickname, Yayi, is widely recognised across Lagos and Ogun State.
Personal Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Solomon Olamilekan Adeola |
| Alias | Yayi |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1969 |
| Age (2026) | 56 years old |
| Place of Birth | Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos |
| State of Origin | Ogun State (ancestral ties to Ilaro, Yewa) |
| Raised In | Alimosho, Lagos |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Party | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Occupation | Senator, Chartered Accountant, Entrepreneur |
| National Honour | Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) |
Early Life and Background
Solomon Olamilekan Adeola was born on August 10, 1969, at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital to Mr. Ayinde Adeola Ogunleye and Madam Abeeni Olasunbo Ogunleye, née Akinola.
He grew up in Alimosho, one of the most populous local government areas in Lagos State, in conditions that were far from privileged. His family was part of the everyday Lagos working class and the environment he grew up in shaped him into the grassroots-oriented politician he would become.
From an early age, Adeola showed a sharp mind and a natural discipline that would later define both his professional and political careers.
Though he was born in Lagos and built the foundation of his life there, his ancestral roots trace back to Ilaro in Ogun State, the headquarters of the Yewa people. That dual identity, Lagos by upbringing and Ogun by heritage, would become a defining feature of his political journey years later.
Family Background
His Parents
Senator Adeola’s father, Mr. Ayinde Adeola Ogunleye, and his mother, Madam Abeeni Olasunbo Ogunleye, raised him in Alimosho.
Not much has been publicly written about their occupations or background, but what is clear from Adeola’s own accounts is that his upbringing was rooted in modest means and strong values.
The fact that he pursued education with such seriousness and eventually became a chartered accountant before turning to politics speaks to the kind of home he came from, one that valued hard work and self-improvement.
His Wife, Mrs. Temitope Adeola
Senator Adeola is married to Mrs. Temitope Adeola, and by all accounts theirs is a partnership built on shared values of faith and service.
Temitope has been a constant presence through his decades in public life, supporting his community engagement and philanthropic activities. She has been described by those around the senator as a pillar of strength.
The couple has been blessed with children, though the senator has largely kept the identities of his children away from the public eye, which is a deliberate choice that many Nigerian politicians make to protect their families from the intense scrutiny that comes with public office.
Faith and Values
Senator Adeola is a Christian, and his faith is something he speaks about openly.
He is known for his belief in religious freedom and tolerance, and he has backed this belief with concrete actions.
Over the years he has donated brand new buses to religious organisations of both Christian and Muslim faiths. He has also personally sponsored Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem and Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, a gesture that cuts across religious divides in a country where faith is a deeply sensitive subject.
These acts of interfaith generosity have earned him goodwill across communities that might otherwise be divided along religious lines.
Education
Primary School
Senator Adeola began his formal education at State Primary School in Alimosho, Lagos, which is where he grew up.
Like many Nigerian children of his generation in working-class Lagos neighbourhoods, his early education was shaped by the public school system, and he made the most of what was available to him.
Secondary School
For his secondary education, he attended Community Grammar School in Akowonjo, Lagos.
Akowonjo is a community within the broader Alimosho area, and the school would have been a familiar environment for someone who had spent his formative years in that part of Lagos.
It was during these secondary school years that his aptitude for numbers began to reveal itself clearly.
Ondo State Polytechnic (Now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic)
After completing his secondary education, Adeola proceeded to Ondo State Polytechnic in Owo, which has since been renamed Rufus Giwa Polytechnic.
There he studied Accounting and earned a Higher National Diploma (HND). The polytechnic route was and remains a perfectly respectable path in the Nigerian educational system, and for Adeola it provided a solid technical grounding in financial and accounting principles that would serve him well throughout his career.
Professional Accounting Qualifications
Beyond his HND, Adeola went on to earn professional certifications that set him apart.
He became a member of the Accounting Technical Scheme in 1995 and obtained his certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountancy in 2000.
He is a distinguished Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.
These professional qualifications meant that long before anyone knew the name Yayi, Solomon Adeola was an accomplished financial professional in his own right.
Professional Career
The Guardian Newspapers: Twelve Years of Service
Senator Adeola’s professional career began not in politics but in accounting, and his first major employer was one of Nigeria’s most respected institutions.
He joined The Guardian Newspapers Limited and spent nearly twelve years with the organisation, eventually rising to the position of Accountant.
That is a significant tenure by any measure, and it demonstrates a level of dedication and competence that goes beyond just getting through the door.
Olatunji Omoyeni and Co: Rising to Senior Auditor
After leaving The Guardian, Adeola joined Olatunji Omoyeni and Co, a chartered accounting firm where he led the audit team for several years.
His performance was strong enough that he was eventually promoted to the position of Senior Auditor.
Leading audit teams in a professional accounting firm is demanding work that requires not just technical knowledge but also the ability to manage people, maintain integrity under pressure, and communicate complex financial findings clearly.
SOOTEM Nigeria Limited: The Entrepreneur
The next chapter of his professional life saw Adeola step out on his own.
He established SOOTEM Nigeria Limited, a company specialising in tax consultancy, where he served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Founding and running a consultancy gave Adeola an entrepreneurial dimension that later shaped his approach to economic policy and governance.
Political Career
Entry Into Politics: Lagos State House of Assembly
Senator Adeola’s political journey began at the grassroots level.
He had first pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the earlier attempts at democratic governance and remained politically active despite the interruptions caused by military rule.
When democracy returned in 1999, Adeola aligned with the progressive wing of Nigerian politics, joining what was then the Action Congress of Nigeria.
He won election to represent Alimosho State Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2003.
Lagos State House of Assembly Tenure
- First Term: 2003–2007
- Second Term: 2007–2011
During his eight years in the Assembly, he built a reputation as a lawmaker who took the technical work of legislation seriously.
Among his notable contributions were:
- Strengthening the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service through legislation
- Supporting the Fiscal Responsibility Act of Lagos State
- Supporting the Lagos State Public Procurement Act
Following these reforms, Lagos State’s internally generated revenue reportedly increased from approximately ₦5 billion monthly to over ₦20 billion monthly.
House of Representatives: Alimosho Federal Constituency
In 2011, Adeola moved from the state legislature to the federal level when he was elected to the Nigerian House of Representatives representing Alimosho Federal Constituency.
He served from 2011 to 2015.
One of his biggest achievements during this period was being appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, the only constitutionally mandated committee in the House of Representatives.
Receiving that role as a first-term federal lawmaker highlighted his reputation for financial expertise and credibility.
Senate: Lagos West (2015–2023)
In 2015, Adeola successfully contested for a Senate seat and was elected to represent Lagos West Senatorial District.
He served two consecutive terms between 2015 and 2023.
Major Committee Roles
8th National Assembly
- Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content
9th National Assembly
- Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance
- Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications
His tenure in Lagos West cemented his position as one of Nigeria’s most experienced legislators.
Senate: Ogun West (2023–Present)
The 2023 election marked a major turning point in Adeola’s political career.
Rather than contesting again for Lagos West, he moved to Ogun State, his ancestral homeland, and contested for the Ogun West Senatorial District seat.
Despite initial scepticism from critics, he secured a convincing victory and assumed office in June 2023.
Current Position
- Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District
- Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations
In this role, he has overseen major national budgetary processes, including the presentation and passage of the ₦54.9 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill.
He is currently serving:
- Third term in the Senate
- Fourth overall term as a federal legislator
Legislative Achievements and Impact
Senator Adeola’s legislative record spans more than two decades.
Some of his major achievements include:
Lagos State Reforms
- Strengthening the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service
- Supporting the Fiscal Responsibility Act
- Supporting the Public Procurement Act
Federal Legislative Contributions
- Oversight of public accounts and government spending
- Advocacy for fiscal discipline
- Promotion of transparent budget management
- Leadership in national appropriation processes
Constituency Development
He has facilitated numerous projects across Lagos and Ogun State, including:
- Road construction
- School development
- Youth empowerment initiatives
- Small business support programmes
- Community infrastructure projects
Honours, Awards and Traditional Titles
Senator Adeola has received numerous recognitions for his service.
National Honour
- Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
Traditional Title
- Aremo of Yewaland
Major Recognition
- Sun Newspapers Man of the Year (2025 Award, conferred in January 2026)
These honours reflect recognition from government institutions, traditional authorities, and the media.
Philanthropy
Senator Adeola’s philanthropic work has become one of the defining aspects of his public image.
His interventions include:
- Donation of buses to Christian organisations
- Donation of buses to Muslim organisations
- Sponsorship of Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem
- Sponsorship of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca
- Support for markets and traders
- Educational support programmes
- Healthcare-related interventions
- Community infrastructure projects
His philanthropy has helped him maintain strong grassroots support across both Lagos and Ogun States.
Controversies
Like many long-serving political figures, Senator Adeola has faced controversies during his career.
Alleged Cash Discovery Case
One widely reported incident involved the discovery of billions of naira in a house linked to his name in Lagos.
Adeola publicly denied ownership of the funds and stated that the money did not belong to him.
The issue generated significant media attention but did not result in formal legal proceedings against him.
Questions Over Ogun West Candidacy
His move from Lagos politics to Ogun State politics also generated debate.
Opposition politicians questioned his origins and his eligibility to represent Ogun West, while his supporters argued that his longstanding ties and contributions to the area justified his candidacy.
Net Worth
Estimating the net worth of a serving Nigerian senator requires acknowledging several income streams.
Sources of Wealth
- Professional accounting career
- Tax consultancy business (SOOTEM Nigeria Limited)
- Legislative earnings
- Business investments
- Real estate holdings
- Other private-sector interests
Estimated Net Worth
No official public figure exists regarding Senator Adeola’s personal wealth.
However, political observers and commentators generally estimate his net worth to be worth several hundred million to a few billion naira.
His financial standing reflects decades of work across:
- Private-sector accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Legislative service
- Investments
It is worth noting that Nigerian senators earn some of the highest legislative salaries in the world relative to per capita income, and a senator who has served across multiple terms at multiple levels of government over more than twenty years would have accumulated substantial lawful earnings in addition to any business income.
Personal Life
Senator Adeola has deliberately maintained a clear separation between his public responsibilities and his family life.
He remains active on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), through the handle @AdeolaYAYI, where he shares updates on:
- Legislative activities
- Community development projects
- Public engagements
- Personal milestones
He has also kept his children largely away from public attention, reflecting a desire to protect their privacy.
Legacy
At 56 years old and with more than two decades of legislative experience behind him, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola remains one of the most influential political figures in contemporary Nigerian politics.
His name is increasingly mentioned in discussions about the future of Ogun State politics, with many observers identifying him as a potential gubernatorial contender.
His profile combines:
- Legislative experience
- Financial expertise
- Grassroots credibility
- Political influence across Lagos and Ogun States
He has demonstrated that professional competence, consistency, and long-term community engagement can build a durable political career.
In a political environment often shaped by patronage, ethnicity, and religious considerations, the story of Yayi stands as an example of how patience, discipline, and sustained public service can create lasting influence and impact.