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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has tasked the newly sworn-in chairman, Ayo Omidiran, and commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to uphold fairness, diligence, and patriotism in their roles, describing their work as vital to Nigeria’s unity and stability.
He gave the charge after administering the oath of office to them, describing the FCC as the nation’s conscience. He urged them to reflect Nigeria’s diversity in all actions and promote equity in public service appointments so every region feels included.
“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. A nation that needs its own people has no good faith that we have that is better than our people.”
The President affirmed Nigeria’s rich human resources, capacity, and divine blessings for building a prosperous nation. He encouraged the commissioners to view their roles as a call to service, not privilege, and to regularly assess their contributions to national growth.
“We have the human resources, we have the ability, the capacity, and the endowment from God to build our country. We must, at each time, ask ourselves, what is our contribution to the development and growth, stability, and unity of this country? If I can borrow from John F. Kennedy, who asked the Americans, and I’m asking you to ask yourself, not all the time: what can this country do for you, but what you can do for the country to make it greater now that you have been inaugurated, to reflect the federal character, the complexity, the diversity of this country. It’s only your hand.”
President Tinubu stressed that the FCC’s success in fostering inclusiveness lies in their hands, with their conduct key to building national cohesion and trust in government.
Speaking for the new leadership while fielding questions from State House correspondents, FCC chairman Omidiran expressed confidence that by the end of the administration, every Nigerian will feel ownership of the country. She highlighted Nigeria’s abundant resources, insisting they must be equitably shared nationwide for true inclusivity.
“As you are aware, the Federal Character Commission was formed by patriotic Nigerians who believe that there should be a body to ensure equitable distribution of every good thing. And Nigeria has good things in abundance, but it must go round every nook and cranny of Nigeria to engender inclusivity so that everybody will know that Nigeria is theirs and they will own the country.”
The chairman explained the FCC’s mandate to equitably distribute opportunities and resources across the federation. She pledged to turn Nigeria’s diversity into strength, renewing public hope through transparent representation.
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Under President Tinubu’s guidance, she promised operations that boost unity, stability and faith in government. The commission will ensure national assets reach all regions, affirming that Nigeria belongs to everyone, beyond ethnic or religious divides.
“At the end of this tenure, every Nigerian will own Nigeria. So what Mr President told us is just to remind us of what the Act has mandated us to do, and we are fully ready to do [it].”
Omidiran expressed optimism that dedication would help the FCC deliver on fairness and national unity.
President Tinubu had sworn in Omidiran alongside 37 commissioners for Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
Omidiran, 59, from Osun State — a former House of Representatives member (2011–2019), sports administration expert, NFF/FIFA committee member, and founder of Omidiran Babes FC — replaces controversial ex-chair Muheeba Dankaka. She was appointed on August 11, 2025, and confirmed by the Senate on November 27.
Among the sworn-in commissioners are 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) and Babangida Gwana (Bauchi). The full list includes 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 (FCC), created under Act No. 34 of 1996 and supported by Sections 14 and 153 of the 1999 Constitution, ensures fair sharing of public jobs, infrastructure, and opportunities among Nigeria’s states and the FCT. It develops formulas for balanced appointments in the civil service, military, police, security, and government agencies, with powers to prosecute violators.
The event was also attended by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, State House Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi, and Cabinet Affairs Office Permanent Secretary Dr John Ezeamama.
