Lalong Simon Bako

Simon Bako Lalong (born 5 May 1963) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who has served as the senator representing the Plateau South senatorial district since 2023. He previously held the roles of minister of labour and employment in 2023 and governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023.

After his elementary and secondary education in Shendam Local Government Area, Lalong attended the School of Preliminary Studies (S.P.S) Keffi, graduating in 1986. He then studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, earning a bachelor's degree in law in 1990. Following this, he was called to the Bar and practiced law in Lagos until 1998. He later obtained a master's degree in law from the University of Jos in 1996.

Lalong’s professional career as an attorney spanned from 1992 to 1998, during which he worked with law firms, including one he co-owned. Between 1992 and 1994, he served as Deputy Scribe of the Nigerian Bar Association in Plateau State. After a seven-year political hiatus, he returned to legal practice as the Principal Partner of Simon B. Lalong and Co until 2015.

In 1998, Lalong transitioned into politics, representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in his native Shendam Constituency. He was elected to the Plateau State House of Assembly and later became its Speaker from 2000 to 2006, the longest-serving speaker in the state’s history. He also served twice as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of Nigeria’s 36 states (2001, 2002). In 2014, he joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won the governorship election in Plateau State, succeeding Jonah Jang, and was sworn in on 29 May 2015.