Tinubu appoints Ex-FIFA Committee member, Ayo Omidiran, as Federal Character Commission Chairman

By Samuel Ahmadu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former lawmaker and renowned football administrator, Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the appointments in a statement on Monday.

Omidiran, who represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, is widely respected in Nigerian and international sports circles. She served on FIFA’s Women’s Committee for over a decade, was a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and chaired the NFF Women’s Football Committee. She is also the founder of Omidiran Babes, a prominent Nigerian women’s football club in the 1990s.

She takes over from Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was marred by controversies.

In the same announcement, President Tinubu appointed Mohammed Musa as the FCC Secretary, while retaining Kayode Oladele, the commissioner from Ogun State and immediate past acting chairman. The President also renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), and Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla (Lagos).

The newly appointed commissioners include Hon. Obina Oriaku (Abia), Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Obongawan Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Hon. Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra), Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi), Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue), Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno), Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta), Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi), Hon. Chief Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo), Hon. Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Peter Eze (Enugu), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe).

Others include Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna), Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano), Hon. Anas Isah (Katsina), Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi), Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Alh. Isah Jibrin (Niger), Comrade Ajimudu Bola (Ondo), Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye (Oyo), Hon. Pam Bolman (Plateau), Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), Alh. Aminu Tambar (Sokoto), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba), Hon. Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara), and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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