President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated the Chairman and Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The new chairman of the commission, Hulayat Omidiran, was sworn in alongside 37 commissioners representing the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory at about 4:48 pm.
Omidiran, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State between 2011 and 2019. She succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure, according to the Presidency, was marred by controversy.
The 59-year-old Ikire-born politician holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and brings extensive experience in legislative work and sports administration to the commission.
She previously served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports and has held several positions in sports governance, including membership of the Nigeria Football Federation board, chairperson of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, and membership of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee.
She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.
Omidiran is the founder of Omidiran Babes Football Club, a female football team based in Osogbo, Osun State, established in 1997.
President Tinubu appointed her on August 11, 2025, after initially announcing the reappointment of Dankaka earlier the same day.
Her nomination was subsequently confirmed by the Senate on November 27, 2025, following statutory screening processes.
Mohammed Musa was also sworn in as secretary of the commission.
Among those inaugurated as commissioners are Peter Eze (Enugu), AbdulWasiu Bawalla (Lagos), Dr. Victor Ikeji (Abia), Lawal Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), Bema Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Gloria (Anambra), and Babangida Gwana (Bauchi).
Others include 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 Federal Character Commission, established by Act No. 34 of 1996 and provided for under Sections 14 and 153 of the 1999 Constitution, is responsible for promoting fairness and equity in the distribution of public offices and socio-economic infrastructure across Nigeria.
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and other senior government officials.
