Senate Confirms Omidiran As FCC Chairman, Approves 37 Commissioners For States, FCT
Akpabio hails Senator Onyesoh’s “exceptional” screening performance
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), alongside 37 nominees who will serve as Commissioners representing the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The confirmation marks a major step in strengthening the Commission charged with ensuring equitable representation in federal appointments and resource distribution.
The approval followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, chaired by Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh (Rivers East), which screened the nominees on November 13.
Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Onyesoh said all nominees appeared for screening and met the constitutional and administrative requirements for their respective positions.
“The committee did not receive any criminal petitions against any of the nominees. They submitted all required documentation and demonstrated capacity for the roles they were nominated to occupy,” he told the chamber.
He explained that the vetting process was rigorous, involving scrutiny of credentials, Code of Conduct Bureau clearance, police and DSS reports, and detailed question-and-answer sessions. According to him, all nominees were “eminently qualified.”
Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for the Senate to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the nominees, a motion supported by Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi, who praised the quality of the candidates and thanked President Bola Tinubu for their nomination. He also lauded Hon. Omidiran, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, for her experience.
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Announcing the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared Omidiran duly appointed as FCC Chairman, while approving the 37 other nominees as state Commissioners and FCT representative. Akpabio further commended Senator Onyesoh for his “painstakingly exceptional” handling of the screening process.
The confirmation effectively reconstitutes the FCC, reinforcing its mandate to promote fairness, equity, and balanced representation across Nigeria’s federating units in federal appointments and resource allocation.
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