By Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in the newly appointed Chairman and 37 Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) at the State House, Abuja.
The brief ceremony, held at the Council Chambers, saw Hulayat Omidiran inaugurated as Chairman alongside commissioners representing the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Omidiran, 59, succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka. She was appointed on August 11, 2025, following a reversal of an earlier announcement that had reappointed Dankaka for a second term. Her nomination was subsequently confirmed by the Senate on November 27, 2025, after security screening and appearance before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
A former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Omidiran represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State between 2011 and 2019. An indigene of Ikire, Osun State, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
She brings extensive experience in legislative work and sports administration, having served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports. She also held several positions in football administration, including membership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board, 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. She is the founder of Omidiran Babes Football Club, established in Osogbo in 1997.
Also sworn in was Mohammed Musa, Secretary of the Commission.
Among the commissioners inaugurated were Peter Eze (Enugu), AbdulWasiu Bawalla (Lagos), Obinna Oriaku (Abia), Lawal Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), Bema Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Gloria (Anambra), Babangida Gwana (Bauchi), Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Tarkende (Benue), Modu Mustapha (Borno), Dr. Stella Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Idisi (Delta), and Solomon Dagami (FCT), among others.
After the swearing-in, President Tinubu exchanged handshakes with the chairperson and commissioners.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi; and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. John Ezeamama.