Tinubu Appoints Ayo Hulayat Omidiran As New Federal Character Commission Chairman.
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) in Nigeria. The announcement, made on Monday, 11 August 2025, marks a significant leadership change for the commission, with Omidiran succeeding Dr Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marked by controversy.
Omidiran, who represented the Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State from 2011 to 2019, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Beyond her political career, she is a respected figure in sports administration, having served on FIFA’s Women’s Committee for over a decade and chaired the Nigeria Football Federation’s Women’s Football Committee. She is also the founder of Omidiran Babes, a prominent women’s football club in Nigeria during the 1990s. Her diverse background is expected to bring fresh perspective to the FCC, an institution tasked with ensuring equitable representation across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
In addition to Omidiran’s appointment, President Tinubu named Mohammed Musa as the commission’s new Secretary and retained Kayode Oladele, a former House of Representatives member from Ogun State, as a commissioner. Oladele, who served as the FCC’s acting chairman in 2024, will continue in his role. The President also renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), and Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla (Lagos) for second terms. A comprehensive list of new commissioners was also released, representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, to ensure balanced representation in line with the FCC’s mandate.
The appointment follows a brief period of confusion, as the presidency initially announced the reappointment of Dr Dankaka on Monday evening, only to retract it hours later in favour of Omidiran. The swift reversal, communicated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has sparked discussions on social media. Many have praised Omidiran’s credentials, citing her legislative and administrative experience as a strong foundation for leading the FCC. Others have speculated about the political motivations behind the change, given Dankaka’s controversial tenure.
The Federal Character Commission plays a critical role in promoting national unity by enforcing the federal character principle, which ensures fairness in the distribution of public sector appointments and resources across Nigeria’s diverse states and ethnic groups. Omidiran’s leadership is expected to restore stability and confidence in the commission, aligning with President Tinubu’s broader vision for institutional reform.
Observers note that this appointment is part of a series of strategic moves by the Tinubu administration to strengthen key institutions. Omidiran’s track record and reputation for integrity are seen as assets that could help steer the FCC towards greater efficiency and transparency. As she steps into this pivotal role, expectations are high for her to address longstanding challenges and foster unity through equitable representation.
The appointments take effect immediately, with Omidiran and the new commissioners expected to begin their duties in the coming days.