President Tinubu Swears In New Federal Character Commission Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has presided over the swearing-in of the newly appointed Chairman and members of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The brief ceremony was held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

The swearing-in of the new Chairman and commissioners of the FCC, conducted in a single batch of 37 appointees , was anchored by the Assistant Director of Media in the Office of the President, Oche Egwa, who read the citations of the appointees.

Afterwards the FCC Commissioners proceeded for the Presidential handshake with President Tinubu.

The new FCC Chairman, Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, took the oath of office alongside 37 commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Omidiran, 59, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives who represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State from 2011 to 2019, succeeds Dr Muheeba Dankaka, the commission’s Former Executive Chairman who served for 5years.

The Ikire, Osun State-born politician holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and well experience in both legislative and sports administration.

She previously served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, and held positions including board membership of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chairperson of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, membership of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, and service on the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

Omidiran is also the founder of Omidiran Babes Football Club, a female football club based in Osogbo, Osun State, which she established in 1997.

President Tinubu appointed her on August 11, 2025, following a reversal of an initially announced reappointment of Dr. Dankaka.

The Senate confirmed Omidiran’s appointment on November 27, 2025, following her successful completion of statutory processes, including screening and an appearance before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs on October 30.

Mohammed Musa was also appointed as the Commission’s Secretary.

The commissioners sworn in include Peter Ogbonna Eze (Enugu), AbdulWasiu Kayode Bawalla (Lagos), Obinna Oriaku (Abia), Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa-Ibom), Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra), and Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi).

Others are Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue), Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno), Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta), Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi), Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo), Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe), Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna), Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano), Anas Isah (Katsina), Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi), Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Kayode Oladele (Ogun), Isah Jibrin (Niger), Ajimudu Bola (Ondo), Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye (Oyo), Pam Bolman (Plateau), Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), Aminu Tambar (Sokoto), Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba), Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara), and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).

The Federal Character Commission was established by Act No. 34 of 1996 and is enshrined in Sections 14 and 153 of the 1999 Constitution. The body is charged with ensuring fair distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructure among Nigeria’s federating units.

The mandate of the Federal Character Commission includes developing and enforcing equitable guidelines for the fair distribution of appointments and positions across the civil and public service, the armed forces, the police and other security agencies, as well as government-owned bodies and parastatals.

The Commission also has the power to prosecute heads of any ministry or government agency that fails to comply with the federal character principle.

Present at the swearing were the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi and the representative of the Secretary General of the Federation.