By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
President Bola Tinubu has restructured the Federal Character Commission (FCC), appointing former lawmaker Ayo Omidiran as Chairperson to steer a new phase of fairness and inclusion in public service. The move, part of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, signals a bid to restore confidence in a commission long criticized for imbalance and politicization.
Omidiran succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marred by allegations of partisanship and uneven representation. Her exit closes a turbulent chapter for the FCC — an agency created to promote equitable distribution of public offices and resources across Nigeria’s regions.
Reacting to the appointment, Dr. A.A. Aderibigbe, a university scholar, described Omidiran’s emergence as “a long-awaited correction of imbalance,” noting that southern representation in the commission’s leadership had been neglected for years. “This appointment restores a sense of belonging and fairness that reflects the true spirit of the FCC,” he said.
The new leadership is expected to align the commission’s work with Tinubu’s governance reform agenda, emphasizing merit-based inclusiveness and institutional transparency. Policy experts say the shake-up could determine whether the FCC finally evolves from a symbolic institution into an active enforcer of equity in federal appointments.
As Omidiran assumes office, expectations are high for a credible turnaround. The coming months will test whether her leadership can transform the FCC from a dormant bureaucracy into a working model of fairness — one that mirrors Nigeria’s diversity in action, not just on paper.
