Pius Nsabe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives, as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC). She succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marred by controversy.
The appointment was contained in a statement on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, obtained by The Journal Nigeria. Tinubu also appointed Mohammed Musa as the Commission’s secretary, while retaining Kayode Oladele from Ogun State as a commissioner. Oladele, a former lawmaker, had been appointed in 2024 and has been serving as the FCC’s acting chairman.
The President renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni from Jigawa, Abubakar Atiku Bunu from Kebbi, Eludayo Eluyemi from Osun, and Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla from Lagos for a second term.
Other newly appointed commissioners are Hon. Obina Oriaku from Abia, Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi from Adamawa, Obongawan Dora Ebong from Akwa Ibom, Hon. Nnoli Nkechi Gloria from Anambra, Babangida Adamu Gwana from Bauchi, Sir Tonye Okio from Bayelsa, Aligba Eugene Tarkende from Benue, Engr. Modu Mustapha from Borno, Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo from Cross River, Ederin Lovette Idisi from Delta, Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka from Ebonyi, Hon. Chief Victor Sabor Edoror from Edo, Hon. Sola Fokanle from Ekiti, Peter Eze from Enugu, Ibrahim Baba Mairiga from Gombe, Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso from Imo.
Others are Ruth Jumai Ango from Kaduna, Muhammad Awwal Nayya from Kano, Hon. Anas Isah from Katsina, Bello Idris Eneye from Kogi, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara, Alh. Isah Jibrin from Niger, Comrade Ajimudu Bola from Ondo, Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye from Oyo, Hon. Pam Bolman from Plateau, Aaron Chukwuemeka from Rivers, Alh. Aminu Tambar from Sokoto, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama from Taraba, Hon. Jibir Maigari from Yobe, Sani Garba from Zamfara, and Solomon Ayuba Dagami from the FCT.
The Federal Character Commission, established to ensure equitable representation of Nigeria’s diverse states in public service and federal institutions, plays a central role in promoting national integration. President Tinubu’s fresh appointments are expected to strengthen the Commission’s leadership and operational efficiency, following a period of leadership disputes under the previous chairperson.