- Kwara State has three senators representing the state’s three senatorial districts in the National Assembly
- The senators advocate for economic growth and social development of the state, ensuring constituents' concerns are heard at the national level
- TheRadar profiled the three senators representing the people of Kwara state in the 10th National Assembly
To continue our series on ‘Know Your Lawmakers,’ this edition focuses on the Senators representing the people of Kwara State in the National Assembly for the period between 2023 and 2027.
These senators serve as the voice of the people of Kwara, advocating for policies that foster economic growth and social development and ensuring that their constituents' concerns are addressed in national matters.
TheRadar compiled the three senators representing the state’s senatorial districts below:
1. Umar Sadiq Suleiman (Kwara North Senatorial District)
Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, representing Kwara North in the National Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC), holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, along with postgraduate diplomas and a master’s degree in disaster risk management and developmental studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Before entering politics, Senator Umar had a distinguished career in the health development sector, focusing on projects aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
In 2019, he was elected to the 9th Senate, where he took on significant roles, including chairing the Senate Committee on Rules and Business. He also served as the vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, among other responsibilities.
After being re-elected in 2023 to the 10th Senate, Senator Umar currently chairs the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. He is also an active member of several committees, including Appropriation, Power, Finance, and Defense.
As part of his legislative efforts, the Senate recently passed a resolution urging the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to revisit the proposed construction of the Dasin Hausa Dam and other related projects aimed at managing floodwaters from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
This resolution followed a motion on the urgent need to address flooding in the Sagamu and Ijebu areas of Ogun East, as well as the Edu and Patigi areas of Kwara North, which was co-sponsored by Senator Umar and Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East.
2. Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South Senatorial District)
Lola Ashiru, known formally as Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, currently represents the Kwara South Senatorial District in Nigeria’s Senate, a position he has held since June 11, 2019.
A graduate of the University of Lagos, Ashiru completed his studies in environmental design and architecture in 1980. Before venturing into politics, he built a successful career in architecture and real estate, serving as the CEO of Capital Projects Limited, a firm with operations across Nigeria and several West African nations.
He ran for the Senate under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Nigerian general elections. Upon his inauguration into the 9th Assembly, Yisa was appointed Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement.
One of his major legislative efforts was the push to revive and complete the $18.5 billion Abuja Centenary City project. Ashiru sponsored a motion leading to a Senate resolution on the matter.
3. Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central Senatorial District)
Saliu Mustapha, a Nigerian politician representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He previously served as the deputy national chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change.
Mustapha began his political career as the national publicity secretary of the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) before joining the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), where he became the national deputy chairman.
He continued his political career within the APC after the merger of several parties. He is also known for his philanthropic work, founding the Saliu Mustapha Foundation.
As part of his legislative effort, Mustapha moved a motion in the Senate calling for the construction of a pedestrian overhead bridge with a motorcycle ramp at the Oko-Olowo intersection on the Ilorin-Jebba Federal Highway.
This motion came in response to growing safety concerns. Mustapha highlighted the importance of the intersection, which has seen over 50 fatalities between November 2023 and January 2024, including a tragic accident in November that killed 25 people in one day.
He emphasised that building a pedestrian bridge would improve safety and help prevent further accidents.
Know Your Lawmakers Series: Here are the senators representing Kogi in 10th Assembly
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the senators representing Kogi state in the 10th National Assembly play essential roles in advocating for their constituents.
TheRadar compiled the Senators representing the three senatorial districts in the state.