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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved significant changes to the leadership of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), appointing Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as the new Executive Chairman.
Omidiran, a distinguished politician and former member of the House of Representatives, replaces Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marred by internal disputes and public controversies over the commission’s operations.
In a statement issued late on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also announced the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Musa as the new Secretary of the commission.
The changes, according to the Presidency, are aimed at reinvigorating the FCC and ensuring it fulfills its constitutional mandate of promoting equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in federal appointments and resource distribution.
Mr. Kayode Oladele, representing Ogun State, has also been retained as a commissioner on the commission. Oladele, a lawyer and former federal lawmaker, first joined the FCC in 2024 and subsequently served as Acting Chairman after Dr. Dankaka’s first-term tenure ended. His continued presence on the board is expected to provide leadership stability during the commission’s transition period.
The President further renewed the appointments of several other commissioners for another term, signaling confidence in their previous contributions. Those retained include Mr. Lawal Ya’u Roni from Jigawa State, Mr. Abubakar Atiku Bunu from Kebbi State, and Mr. Eludayo Eluyemi from Osun State.
In addition to the retained members, President Tinubu has brought in new faces to represent different states in line with the FCC’s mandate of federal inclusivity. The newly appointed commissioners are:
Obina Oriaku – Abia State
Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi – Adamawa State
Obongawan Dora Ebong – Akwa Ibom State
Nnoli Nkechi Gloria – Anambra State
Mr. Babangida Adamu Gwana – Bauchi State
Sir Tonye Okio – Bayelsa State
Mr. Aligba Eugene Tarkende – Benue State
Modu Mustapha – Borno State
The Federal Character Commission, established by the 1999 Constitution, plays a critical role in ensuring that appointments into public service institutions and the allocation of resources are fairly distributed across all states and ethnic groups in Nigeria.
With the latest appointments, President Tinubu is seeking to strengthen the commission’s ability to foster national unity and prevent marginalization of any section of the country.
Political analysts believe that Omidiran’s leadership experience in the National Assembly, combined with her reputation for advocacy and community service, could usher in a new era of reform for the FCC. Her appointment is seen as a move to restore public confidence in the commission following the controversies that trailed her predecessor.
By combining a mix of experienced members and fresh appointees, the Tinubu administration appears poised to revitalize the FCC’s operations and ensure that it serves as a true guardian of fairness in Nigeria’s federal structure.