Engr. PHabu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), has officially congratulated veteran sports administrator and former legislator, Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, on her appointment and subsequent swearing-in as the Executive Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
In a statement signed on Saturday by NOC spokesperson Tony Nezianya, Gumel described Omidiran’s appointment as a testament to the high calibre of leadership found within the Nigerian sports fraternity. Omidiran, who was sworn into office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on January 22, 2026, succeeded Dr Muheeba Dankaka as the head of the commission.
“The NOC family and the entire sports world stand tall as one of our own takes the lead in ensuring equity and progress for our nation,” Gumel stated. He highlighted her “wealth of wisdom” and extensive administrative experience as key assets that make her uniquely suited for the role of promoting national unity and fair distribution of resources.
Gumel specifically noted Omidiran’s long-standing dedication to Nigerian excellence, citing her roles as:
A Former Member of the National Assembly: Serving two terms in the House of Representatives (2011–2019).
A Distinguished Sports Leader: Serving on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board and as Chairperson of the Women’s Football Committee.
A Youth Advocate: Founding the Omidiran Babes Football Club and investing in the next generation of Nigerian talent.
The NOC President expressed firm conviction that Omidiran would apply the principles of the Olympic Charter—fairness, equity, and inclusion—to her new national assignment. He wished her a successful and impactful tenure as she leads the 5th Board of the Federal Character Commission toward institutional reform and transparency.
