Amid concerns about gender imbalance in his government, President Bola Tinubu on Monday announced the appointment of former legislator Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), succeeding Dr. Muheeba Dankaka. Omidiran is one of six women on the 38-member Commission, alongside Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom),
Amid concerns about gender imbalance in his government, President Bola Tinubu on Monday announced the appointment of former legislator Ayo Hulayat Omidiran as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), succeeding Dr. Muheeba Dankaka.
Omidiran is one of six women on the 38-member Commission, alongside Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra), Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River), and Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna); the remaining 32 members are men.
The announcement was formally communicated in a statement released on Monday by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. In the statement, Tinubu named Mohammed Musa as the new Secretary of the Commission, while Kayode Oladele retained his position as Commissioner representing Ogun State.
The President also renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), and Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun). Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla was appointed as Commissioner for Lagos State.
Among the newly selected 32 male commissioners are: 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).
Other newly appointed Commissioners include Hon. Obina Oriaku (Abia), Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi), Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue), Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno), 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), Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano).
Gender Imbalance Amid Inclusive Representation Promises
Of the new appointees, 32 are men and 6 are women, making the Commission 84.2% male and 15.8% female—a notable gender gap in an institution responsible for fairness and representation in Nigeria’s public service.
However, this development does not align with President Tinubu’s stated commitment to achieving 35% female participation in his administration. Despite efforts to promote gender balance, President Tinubu predominantly appoints men to leadership roles in various areas of governance.
Recently, the president appointed an 11-member board for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which has only one woman—serving as an institutional representative—raising concerns about gender representation in oil sector leadership.
Mrs. Nafisa Adejuwon, CEO of NAF Foundation, stressed the importance of women’s equal representation in politics and the need to promote political education for their inclusion.
”Women’s representation is germane for any society that needs to grow. The government need to work towards giving women room to flourish in political ambition and leadership positions. In every political office, there is an imbalanced number of women compared to men. When there is equality, it strengthens our democracy.’’ She advised.
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