BABALAJE OF OGBOMOSO, Waziri Jari of Nupe Kingdom, Giwa Adinni of Oyo State, Champion of Development of Ibadanland — What Next for Open Salawu?

Titles are not just ornaments—they are earned, bestowed in recognition of service, leadership, and the rare ability to impact lives across communities.

In an era where true leadership is defined by integrity, competence, and visible results, Engr. Open Salawu stands tall—honoured across tribes, regions, and institutions.

From the sacred throne of the Soun of Ogbomoso where he was installed as the Babajale (Babalaaje) of Ogbomoso, to the culturally rich Nupe Kingdom where he was decorated as the Waziri Jari, from the spiritual leadership of the Giwa Adinni of Oyo State, to the recent accolade by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) as the Champion of Development of Ibadanland—Engr. Salawu’s influence transcends borders.

But beyond the titles is a lifetime of service built on expertise, vision, and results.

An Ogbomoso-born Civil Engineer, Engr. Open Salawu is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, registered with COREN, and a fellow of multiple professional bodies including the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE), Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (FNATE), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, UK (CIWM). He is also a Justice of Peace (JP)—a title that reflects not just stature, but character.

As the Chairman of the Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency, his work has helped entrench transparency and accountability in project delivery under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

He is at the heart of landmark infrastructure projects reshaping Ibadan and Oyo State—from the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road to the Ladoke Akintola Airport upgrade, over 100km of township roads, and transformative investments in education and healthcare.

Yet, with every honour and accomplishment, the question on the lips of many is:

What next for Engr. Open Salawu?

The answer may lie in what our times demand.

Today, Nigeria—especially the South West—requires bold, tested, and forward-looking leaders. Leaders who combine technical know-how with political maturity, grassroots acceptance with national vision, cultural roots with global relevance.

Open Salawu is not just a technocrat; he is a bridge—between the old and the new, the rural and the urban, the North and South. His appeal is multi-dimensional, his reach is national, and his heart remains with the people.

Could the next chapter be national service? A legislative role? A ministerial assignment? A governorship challenge?

Whatever it is, one thing is clear: Engr. Open Salawu has paid his dues. He has the capacity. He has the credibility. And now, he has the mandate of history.

The titles may decorate his name, but it is his record of service that defines his legacy.

The time to entrust more leadership into capable hands is now. And Open Salawu is ready.