Simon Lalong
Name: Simon Bako Lalong
Born: May 5, 1963, Ajikamai, Shendam LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Occupation: Lawyer, Politician
Political Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)
Spouse: Regina Lalong
Children: Three: Stephanie, Naanshak, and Tiopsan
Simon Bako Lalong was born on May 5, 1963, in Ajikamai, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. He began his education at R.C.M. Primary School in Shendam, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Shendam, where he earned his O’ Level Certificate in 1982. He then attended the School of Preliminary Studies (S.P.S) in Keffi, completing his A’ Levels in 1986. Lalong pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1990. He was called to the Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. In 1996, he obtained a Master’s degree in Law (LL.M) from the University of Jos.
Legal Career
Lalong commenced his legal career in 1992, working with several law firms, including T-Obot & Co. and Victor Fomwul & Co. He co-founded a law firm and served as the Deputy Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association in Plateau State from 1992 to 1994. After a stint in politics, he returned to legal practice as the Principal Partner of Simon B. Lalong and Co., continuing until 2015.
Political Career
Lalong's political journey began in 1998 when he was elected to the Plateau State House of Assembly representing Shendam Constituency under the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He served as Speaker of the Assembly from 2000 to 2006, making him the longest-serving Speaker in the state's history. During his tenure, he was twice elected Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of the 36 States of Nigeria.
In 2015, Lalong contested and won the governorship of Plateau State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating his main rival, Gyang Pwajok of the PDP. He was re-elected in 2019, defeating Jeremiah Useni. His tenure focused on peace-building, economic diversification, and infrastructural development.
After completing his second term as governor in 2023, Lalong was appointed Minister of Labour and Employment in August 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. He served in this capacity until December 2023. In the 2023 general elections, he contested for the Plateau South Senatorial seat. Although initially declared defeated, the Court of Appeal later affirmed him as the rightful winner, and he was sworn in as Senator on December 20, 2023.
