The Senate has confirmed Abdullahi Saidu as executive chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), alongside 17 other nominees to the boards of the FRC and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The confirmations followed the consideration and adoption of reports by the Senate committees on finance and judiciary, human rights and legal matters during Wednesday’s plenary, The Cable reports.
Presenting the report on the FRC nominees, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Lere Oyewunmi, said the committee reviewed their curricula vitae, educational qualifications and professional experience before recommending them for confirmation.
Oyewunmi, who represented the committee chairman, Sani Musa, said the screening established that the nominees possessed the requisite qualifications and experience for their respective positions.
He noted that the committee was particularly impressed that the chairman and about four members had obtained letters of attestation from their former employers, affirming their competence and suitability for the appointments.
“The chairman, in particular, has some substantial experience in revenue administration, fiscal oversight, and governance reform, and his last place of work was ICPC, where he equally chaired a very sensitive committee,” he said.
Oyewunmi said the committee had no reservations about recommending the nominees for confirmation. Senator Simon Lalong, who represents Plateau South, seconded the motion, describing the nominees as reputable individuals whose track records indicated they would perform effectively in their new roles.
The Senate subsequently resolved into a committee of the whole to consider the report, which was adopted through a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Congratulating the nominees, Jibrin urged them to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the mandates of their respective commissions.
In a separate report, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, presented the committee’s recommendations on nominees to the governing council of the NHRC.
Adegbonmire said the nominations were referred to the committee on April 28, 2026, while the screening exercise was conducted on Tuesday.
He said the committee examined the nominees’ curricula vitae and supporting documents and found them qualified in terms of experience, competence and professional exposure to human rights issues.
The committee consequently recommended their confirmation as chairman and members of the council.
Senator Ekong Samson, who represents Akwa Ibom South, seconded the motion, saying members who participated in the screening agreed that the nominees were qualified to contribute to strengthening human rights protection in Nigeria. He also commended President Bola Tinubu for nominating what he described as men and women of substance.
The NHRC nominees are Salamatu Suleiman as chairman, alongside Huwaila Ibrahim, Edmund Obiagwu, Ogunji Kingsley, Oluwakemi Asiawaju-Okenyodo, Adedeji Adekunle, Ayo Adewuyi, Mohammed Adelodun, Eze Anaba, Maupe Ogun-Yusuf and Patience Udoh as members.
The FRC nominees are Saidu as executive chairman, with Mohammed Mai-Eka, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, Suleiman Gidado, Louis Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Onikola as members.
