President Bola Tinubu on Thursday administered the oath of office to the new Chairman and 37 Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) at the State House, Abuja.
The swearing-in ceremony, which held around 4:48 pm, saw Hulayat Omidiran take office as FCC Chairman alongside commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Omidiran, 59, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives for Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency in Osun State (2011–2019), succeeds Dr Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure the Presidency described as “dogged by controversy.”
The Ikire-born politician holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and has extensive experience in legislative and sports administration.
She previously served as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Sports and held positions such as board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chairperson of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, member of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, and trustee on the Nigeria Olympic Committee Board.
She also founded Omidiran Babes Football Club, a women’s football club in Osogbo, Osun State, in 1997.
Tinubu initially announced her appointment on August 11, 2025, following the planned reappointment of Dankaka, and the Senate confirmed her on November 27, 2025, after vetting and security clearance.
Mohammed Musa was appointed as Secretary of the commission.
The commissioners sworn in include 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), and 27 others representing all states and the FCT.
Established under Act No. 34 of 1996 and enshrined in Sections 14 and 153 of the 1999 Constitution, the FCC is tasked with ensuring equitable distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructure across Nigeria.
The commission also sets guidelines for appointments in civil service, security agencies, and government parastatals and can sanction heads of agencies that breach the federal character principle.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, and other senior government officials.