The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Mrs Ayo Omidiran as the new Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), signaling a major leadership overhaul in the agency tasked with promoting fairness and equitable representation across federal institutions.
Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives from Osun State, was confirmed alongside Peter Eze from Enugu State and 36 other nominees as Federal Commissioners. The confirmation followed the adoption of a screening report presented by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
The plenary session was presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Presenting the report, committee chairman Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP–Rivers East) said all nominees appeared before the panel on Tuesday and satisfied every requirement for appointment.
“The committee did not receive any criminal complaints against any of the nominees. They submitted all required documents and demonstrated capacity for the roles they were nominated for,” Onyesoh said.
He noted that the vetting process covered a wide range of checks, including CV reviews, Code of Conduct clearance certificates, police and DSS reports, as well as competency assessments through presentations and interviews.
Onyesoh added that nominees from all 36 states and the FCT met constitutional requirements and were “eminently qualified” for appointment. He further described Eze as one of the standout candidates, commending his “deep knowledge of the FCC’s mandate and the reforms needed to reposition the agency.”
“His appointment will strengthen the capacity of the Federal Character Commission to review outdated statutes and harmonise them with current realities,” he added.
Earlier, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for the chamber to resolve into the Committee of the Whole to scrutinise the nominations clause-by-clause.
Supporting him, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Olalere Oyewumi said the nominees’ records reflected competence and broad experience.
“From their résumés, they have held different positions both locally and internationally. I thank Mr President for finding them worthy,” he said.
Following the review, the Senate unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations, and Akpabio ratified the appointments through a voice vote.
Eze’s nomination had earlier been publicised by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
An economist and public administrator from Aji in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State, he currently serves as Executive Assistant to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s in Customs Management from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing.
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