President Bola Tinubu on Thursday formally inducted the new chairperson of the Federal Character Commission along with 37 commissioners representing the country’s states and capital, marking a leadership refresh for the body tasked with ensuring equitable national appointments.
The ceremony at the presidential villa saw Hulayat Omidiran, a 59-year-old former lawmaker and sports administrator from Osun State, assume the helm, succeeding Muheeba Dankaka whose term the presidency labeled as “dogged by controversy.”
Omidiran, who holds a biochemistry degree from Ahmadu Bello University and founded the Omidiran Babes Football Club in 1997, brings experience from roles including deputy chair of the House Committee on Sports and positions in the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA’s women’s committee.
Tinubu appointed her in August 2025, with Senate confirmation following in November after vetting, while Mohammed Musa was named commission secretary.
Among the commissioners sworn in were Peter Eze for Enugu, AbdulWasiu Bawalla for Lagos, Obinna Oriaku for Abia, Lawal Roni for Jigawa, and Abubakar Bunu for Kebbi, with representatives covering all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory.
Others are Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Tarkende (Benue), Modu Mustapha (Borno), Dr. Stella Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Idisi (Delta), Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi), Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo), Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe), Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), Ruth 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 Kaigama (Taraba), Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara), and Solomon Dagami (FCT).
The FCC, established under the 1999 constitution, promotes fair distribution of public offices and infrastructure across Nigeria’s federating units, with powers to enforce guidelines and penalize violations.
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake were among senior officials present at the late afternoon event.
