From grassroot politics to senate leadership: Life story of Solomon Adeola

Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, is a prominent Nigerian politician and chartered accountant who has built a steady rise through the country’s political ranks.

He currently serves as the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, a role he took up in June 2023 after previously representing Lagos West for two terms.

Profile summary

Name: Solomon Olamilekan Adeola

Other names: Yayi

Born: August 10, 1969

Place of birth: Lagos

Tribe: Yoruba

Education: Rufus Giwa Polytechnic

Marital status: Married

Religion: Christianity

Career: Accountant, Politician

Background

Yayi was born on August 10, 1969, in Lagos to Mr. Ayinde Abdul-Gafar Adeola Ogunleye and Madam Abeni Olasunbo Ogunleye (née Akinola).

He was the fourth child in a close-knit family that embraced his birth with joy, unaware of the notable future that awaited him.

Though born in Lagos, Yayi traces his roots to Ogun State, where he comes from a modest Yoruba background.

His upbringing in a culturally grounded and disciplined environment helped shape his values and outlook on life, laying the foundation for his journey into public service and leadership.

He grew up in the Alimosho area of Lagos, where he had his early education before proceeding to higher studies.

He attended Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accounting.

He later became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, building a solid professional foundation in finance.

Career path

Before joining politics, Adeola built his career in the private sector.

He worked for over a decade with The Guardian Newspapers Limited as an accountant.

He later moved into auditing, working with an accounting firm before establishing his own company, SOOTEM Nigeria Limited, which specialises in tax consultancy.

Political journey

Adeola’s journey in politics began at the state level in Lagos, where he served in the House of Assembly between 2003 and 2011.

During this time, he was part of efforts that strengthened the state’s financial system, helping to improve internally generated revenue.

His performance at the state level paved the way for his election into the House of Representatives in 2011, where he chaired the Public Accounts Committee under former Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

The role placed him in charge of overseeing government spending and accountability.

He later moved to the Senate in 2015 to represent Lagos West and was re-elected in 2019.

In a major political shift, he contested and won the Ogun West senatorial seat in 2023. Since then, he has remained active in legislative affairs and currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

He is also a key figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Personal life

Adeola was initially named Suleiman Olamilekan, reflecting his father’s Islamic background.

However, in adulthood, following his conversion to Christianity, he adopted the name Solomon, a change that marked a significant personal transition in his life journey.

He has consistently demonstrated respect for both Christianity and Islam, promoting peaceful coexistence among followers of the two major faiths.

Over the years, he has contributed to religious communities in practical ways.

He is known to have donated buses to churches and mosques, and has sponsored several faithful on pilgrimages to holy sites in Jerusalem and Mecca.

He is happily married to his wife, Mrs. Temitope Adeola, and their marriage is blessed with children.

Sen. Yayi with his wife Mrs Temitope Adeola

Despite his busy political career, he maintains a strong bond with his family, which remains an important part of his life.

Recognitions

In 2022, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He has also received other recognitions, including being named Sun Newspapers Man of the Year 2025.

Net worth

At the time of this post,  no verified figure regarding Adeola’s net worth was made accessible to the public.

However, given his long career in accounting, business, and politics, he is considered to be financially stable and well-established.