Omidiran, Former Women’s Football Advocate Assumes FCC Chairmanship

Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, a familiar name in Nigerian football administration, has officially assumed office as the new Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

She took over from Hon. Kayode Oladele, who had served in an acting capacity since July 2025, during a handover ceremony at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Omidiran, who was sworn in last week by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is widely respected not only for her political career but also for her contributions to Nigerian football.

A former member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, she played a pivotal role in the development of women’s football in the country. She was instrumental in the growth of the Nigeria Women’s Football League and has long been an advocate for grassroots sports development.

In her acceptance remarks, Omidiran expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and praised Oladele for his leadership during his seven-month tenure.

‘I accept this responsibility with a profound sense of honour and commitment. I sincerely appreciate Hon. Kayode Oladele for his dedication, stability, and efforts in steering the Commission,’ she said.

Omidiran assured commissioners and management of inclusive leadership, reaffirming her commitment to transparency, fairness, and national cohesion.

She also highlighted the importance of sports as a unifying force in Nigeria, noting that her experience in football administration has shaped her vision for building institutions that foster teamwork and national development.

‘I look forward to working closely with all commissioners and the management team to strengthen the Commission and effectively deliver on our constitutional mandate,’ she added.