ABH Decides 2025: An Exclusive Interview with Adedoyin Salami, Health and Sanitation Minister Aspirant.

This year’s election season is charged with excitement, as campaign banners fill nearly every corner of Alexander Brown Hall. As ABH Decides 2025 draws closer, one question continues to echo among Brownites: Who can we trust?

Amidst the buzz, the ABH Press caught up with Adedoyin Salami, a 2K23 Physiotherapy student at the University of Ibadan and an aspirant for the position of Health and Sanitation Minister. In this conversation, he shared his vision for the hall, focusing on his plans to improve health and sanitation in ABH.

ABH Press: Good Day. Can you kindly introduce yourself?

Good day, my name is Adedoyin Salami, a 2k23 physiotherapy student at University of Ibadan. I currently serve as the Co-head of the Health Committee in Alexander Brown Hall.

ABH Press: Can we know more about you? What are your hobbies or any interesting facts about you?

Beyond academics and volunteer work, I’m a tech enthusiast. I enjoy exploring design tools and surfing the internet for tech-related content. I also love working in teams and contributing to causes that directly improve people’s quality of life.

ABH Press: Were there any particular moments or challenges in ABH that inspired you to run for this position?

Yes, one of the key things that inspired me to run for this position was the poor state of the toilets and bathrooms when I first moved into ABH nearly two years ago. I stayed in G block, and the condition of our restrooms was honestly disturbing. There were days I couldn’t even tell if the toilets had been cleaned at all. That experience stayed with me, and ever since then, I’ve been passionate about improving the hygiene and sanitation standards in the hall. I believe no resident should have to compromise their health or comfort due to poor sanitation.

ABH Press: What personal values or experiences drive your passion for leadership, and how do they connect with the responsibilities of the health and sanitation Minister?

One of the core values that drive me is service. I genuinely enjoy being part of initiatives that make life better for others. My experiences with the Red Cross and as Co-head of the Health Committee have taught me the importance of stepping up, being reliable, and putting people first. These values align closely with the responsibilities of the Health and Sanitation Minister, because the role requires not just leadership, but empathy, consistency, and a strong sense of accountability. I believe that true leadership is about being present, listening, and acting in the best interest of everyone you’re serving—and that’s exactly what I aim to do.

ABH Press: Can you share your previous contributions or roles within Alexander Brown Hall? How have these experiences prepared you for this?

As Co-head of the Health Committee, I’ve worked with the current Health and Sanitation Minister to organize clean up drive, tank washing exercise and cafeteria reviews. I helped in pumping water and responding to emergencies while he was preparing for his MB. I have been active in the Health Committee and being the co-head of the Health committee has given me insight into how things currently run, and also highlighted areas where we can improve through better planning, teamwork, and communication.

ABH Press: How would you evaluate the performance of the current health and sanitation minister? Are there areas you believe need improvement?

I appreciate the efforts of the current Health and Sanitation minister, especially in maintaining regular water supply during the blackout period and also maintaining cleanliness in the hall. Generally there is still room for improvement especially feedback mechanisms that ensure residents’ concerns are followed up quickly.

ABH Press: What approaches will you take to encourage more students to participate in the cleanliness of the Hall?

“My approach will focus on creating awareness and educating residents about the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy ABH. I believe that when people understand how cleanliness directly impacts our health and well-being, they’re more likely to take responsibility. I will emphasize that keeping ABH clean is not the duty of one person or a few—it’s a collective effort that requires everyone’s participation.”

ABH Press: Can you describe a time you organized a successful event or project relating to health or sanitation? What key takeaways did you gain from that experience?

As part of the Health Committee, I helped organize a tank washing exercise in the hall. We got volunteers to help with a tank washing. I learned that planning ahead, getting the right team, and keeping communication open are key to any successful project.

ABH Press: What potential difficulties do you anticipate in this role, and how would you address them?

Two major challenges I anticipate in this role are irregular electricity supply and limited resources. Unstable power can affect water availability and overall hygiene, while limited resources may restrict the scope of sanitation projects. To address these, I’ll work closely with the elected hall chair person and hall management to find proactive and sustainable solutions. I’ll also prioritize proper planning and resource management, while seeking support from relevant bodies to ensure that our health and sanitation goals are met effectively.

ABH Press: By the end of your term, what lasting impact would you want to have on ABH’s health and sanitation well-being?

By the end of my tenure, I want to leave behind a healthier, cleaner, and more proactive ABH. My goal is to build sustainable systems—whether it’s regular clean up drives, better complaint response mechanisms, or increased health awareness campaigns—that can continue beyond my time in office. I also want to shift the culture so that cleanliness and hygiene become a shared responsibility, not just a duty assigned to the Health Minister and committees. Ultimately, I hope my impact will be seen in both the improved environment and in how Brownites take pride in maintaining it.

ABH Press: Why should Brownites trust you with this role?

My approach will focus on creating awareness and educating residents about the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy ABH. I believe that when people understand how cleanliness directly impacts our health and well-being, they’re more likely to take responsibility. I will emphasize that keeping ABH clean is not the duty of one person or a few—it’s a collective effort that requires everyone’s participation.

Thank you for having this interview.