Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ The recent reappointment of Dr. Muheeba Dankaka as Executive Chairman of Nigeria‘s Federal Character Commission (FCC) contradicts President Tinubu’s masterful political balancing act in one of the nation’s most sensitive domains of national governance. This sweeping overhaul of the commission’s leadership—pairing seasoned veterans with new recruits across all 36 states—is a masterfully conceived exercise for the purposes of stability amid rising demands for more national representation.
At the center of this reorganization is a feeling that the FCC’s role as guardian of Nigeria’s federal character tenets has never been more critical. Reappointment of Dankaka for an additional five-year term brings stability badly needed after her initial term brought in stricter compliance procedures, not least the controversial but successful “Certificate of Compliance” system which thwarted hundreds of irregular appointments. Her return suggests Tinubu’s interest in keeping institutional memory intact while acknowledging the commission’s recent improvements in monitoring federal appointments in ministries and agencies.
The concurrent introduction of fresh faces throughout the leadership creates an intriguing dynamic. Mohammed Musa‘s appointment as secretary brings technocratic energy to the FCC’s functions, suggesting an imminent renovation of its much-criticized bureaucratic processes. The commissioner by state appointment exposes even more strategic thought—from the rewarding of political loyalty through the likes of former House of Representatives member Kayode Oladele in Ogun to the introduction of intellectual gravitas through placements like Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo in Cross River.
The full list of appointments reveals a remarkable masterclass in geopolitical balancing. Newly appointed commissioners like Bello Eneye (Kogi) and Ayodeji Aleshinloye (Oyo) represent generational change, but veteran politicians like Chief Victor Edoror (Edo) keep vital grassroots antennae. The careful calibration encompasses all six geopolitical zones, with each appointment seemingly tailored to align with regional expectations and political realities.
The FCC mandate—giving meaning to Section 14(3) of the federal character provisions of the 1999 Constitution—has never meant striking a balance between merit and equitable representation. Dankaka’s second tenure builds upon the achievements and shortcomings of the delicate balance left by her first tenure. Although significant progress was made in tracking federal appointments by states during her first term, complaints about abuses of the “quota system” in civil servant hiring remain unresolved. The credibility of the new commission will be tested by its ability to navigate through the challenges posed by the potential digitization of compliance verification processes.
Political commentators see these appointments as clear signals of Tinubu’s sharp understanding that federal character is not all about bureaucratic tick-boxes but about guaranteeing national unity. In retaining Dankaka while reconstituting the membership of the commission, the president appears to be wagering on institutional continuity as well as innovative strategies. Since Nigeria continues to grapple with demands for more representation, this rejiggered FCC has the tall order of making constitutional ideals tangible and actualities for the people across the country’s geopolitically complex terrain.
The actual significance of these appointments may not be known for some months yet, when new commissioners assume duty. Will they advance much-needed reforms in the FCC’s monitoring frameworks? Can they reconcile state quotas with requirements for competence in specialist agencies? Most importantly, will this reorganization restore public trust in the neutrality of federal appointments? These are the questions that will determine whether Tinubu’s fine juggling act will succeed in strengthening one of Nigeria’s most significant but underappreciated governance institutions.
