Dino Melaiye

Profile Overview

Barrister Daniel Dino Melaye (born 7 January 1974) is a Nigerian lawyer (having recently graduated from a law degree program in 2025. He is a former senator and a former member of the National Assembly of Nigeria, representing the Kogi West Senatorial District in Kogi State.
He gained attention during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
Senate activities during the Buhari administration (2015–2019)
During Muhammadu Buhari's administration, Dino Melaye served as a senator representing Kogi West in the 8th National Assembly. He was a prominent member of the Senate and was associated with several legislative, political, and oversight activities.
Melaye played a role in the emergence of Bukola Saraki as Senate President in 2015, seconding his nomination during the Senate's inaugural proceedings. The leadership contest contributed to a broader institutional tension between the executive branch and the National Assembly during the period.
Throughout the 8th Senate, Melaye was noted for his participation in debates and oversight functions, particularly in matters relating to executive–legislative relations. He was among senators who raised concerns regarding the compliance of certain executive agencies with Senate resolutions and invitations.
In terms of legislative contributions, Melaye sponsored and co-sponsored bills and motions on issues including:
anti-lynching and public safety measures,
domestic violence and social protection,
oversight of public revenue and remittances in the oil and gas sector,
and the establishment of a federal university of agriculture in Kogi State.
His tenure also included periods of political controversy and legal challenges, including investigations by law enforcement agencies and disputes involving political figures in Kogi State. These developments contributed to his visibility in national political discourse.
Melaye's political alignment evolved over the period; he was initially elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but later defected to the People's Democratic Party (PDP), reflecting broader realignments in Nigerian politics at the time.
Melaye is from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Melaye is a former senator and member of the House of Representatives and also a member of the African Democratic Congress. In 2015 he defected to All Progressives Congress (APC) but returned to PDP in the build-up to 2019 elections after months of political struggle with Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. He was chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and briefly chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation in Nigeria. He was the spokesperson of 2023 presidential candidate of People's Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar. In July 2025, Melaye resigned from the People's Democratic Party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).