President Tinubu Swears In New FCC Chairman, 37 Commissioners, Urges Fairness and Patriotism

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mrs. Hulayat Omidiran, and 37 commissioners representing Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja. The brief ceremony, which took place around 4:48 pm, marks a fresh chapter for the commission tasked with ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities across the federation.

In his address following the swearing-in, President Tinubu described the FCC as “the conscience of the nation” and charged the new officials to be fair, diligent, committed, and patriotic in discharging their duties. “What you represent here today is the conscience of our nation. What you are being assigned to do is to promote and stabilise the conscience of this country — to be fair, diligent, committed, and patriotic,” the President stated. He emphasized Nigeria’s abundant human capacity and natural resources, urging the appointees to prioritize national development over personal interests, echoing the famous words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy: ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Responding on behalf of the commission, Mrs. Omidiran assured President Tinubu that the FCC would align its operations with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She pledged to promote inclusivity and strengthen national unity through fair allocation of resources and opportunities.

Mrs. Omidiran, 59, hails from Ikire in Osun State and is a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, where she represented the Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency from 2011 to 2019. A biochemist by training with a Bachelor’s degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, she brings extensive experience in legislative affairs and sports administration to her new role. Her notable positions include Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chairperson of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, member of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, and a trustee of the Nigeria Olympic Committee. She is also the founder of Omidiran Babes Football Club, a women’s team established in Osogbo in 1997.

Omidiran succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marred by controversies. President Tinubu appointed her on August 11, 2025, in a swift reversal after initially announcing Dankaka’s reappointment earlier that day. The Senate confirmed her nomination on November 27, 2025, following vetting by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs on October 30. Additionally, Mohammed Musa was appointed as the commission’s Secretary.

The newly sworn-in commissioners are:

Abia: Obinna Oriaku, Adamawa: Bema Madayi, Akwa Ibom: Dora Ebong, Anambra: Nnoli Gloria, Bauchi: Babangida Gwana, Bayelsa: Sir Tonye Okio, Benue: Aligba Tarkende, Borno: Modu Mustapha, Cross River: Dr. Stella Ekpo, Delta: Ederin Idisi, Ebonyi: Nwokpor Vincent Nduka, Edo: Victor Sabor Edoror, Ekiti: Sola Fokanle, Enugu: Peter Eze, FCT: Solomon Dagami, Gombe: Ibrahim Baba Mairiga, Imo: Jerry Alagbaoso, Jigawa: Lawal Roni, Kaduna: Ruth Ango, Kano: Muhammad Awwal Nayya, Katsina: Anas Isah, Kebbi: Abubakar Bunu, Kogi: Bello Idris Eneye, Kwara: Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Lagos: AbdulWasiu Bawalla, Niger: Isah Jibrin, Ogun: Kayode Oladele, Ondo: Ajimudu Bola, Osun: Eludayo Eluyemi, Oyo: Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye, Plateau: Pam Bolman, Rivers: Aaron Chukwuemeka, Sokoto: Aminu Tambar, Taraba: Bobboi Kaigama, Yobe: Jibir Maigari, Zamfara: Sani Garba.

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and other senior government officials. After the oaths, President Tinubu exchanged handshakes with the new officials, symbolizing the start of their tenure.

The Federal Character Commission, established by Act No. 34 of 1996 and enshrined in Sections 14 and 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is mandated to ensure fair distribution of public posts, socio-economic infrastructure, and amenities among Nigeria’s federating units. It formulates guidelines for appointments in the civil service, security agencies, and parastatals, with powers to sanction violators of the federal character principle.

This inauguration comes amid ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to strengthen institutions for national cohesion and equitable development. Reactions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have highlighted the significance of the appointments, with users praising Omidiran’s sports background as a boost for youth empowerment.