Senate Confirms Saidu, 17 Others To FRC, NHRC Boards

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 approvals were granted during Wednesday’s plenary after lawmakers considered and adopted reports submitted by the Senate Committees on Finance and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, TheCable reports.

Presenting the report on the FRC nominees, the 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 added that the committee was particularly impressed that the chairman and about four members presented letters of attestation from their former workplaces, confirming 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 also chaired a very sensitive committee,” he said.

Oyewunmi said the committee had no reservations about recommending the nominees for confirmation.

The motion was seconded by Senator Simon Lalong, representing Plateau South, who described the nominees as reputable individuals whose track records indicated their capacity to perform effectively.

The Senate subsequently resolved into a committee of the whole to consider the report, which was adopted by voice vote, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

Jibrin congratulated the nominees and urged them to discharge their responsibilities in line with the mandates of their respective institutions.

In a separate report, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, presented the committee’s recommendations on nominees to the NHRC governing council.

Adegbonmire said the nominations were referred to the committee on April 28, 2026, while the screening exercise was conducted on Tuesday.

He explained that the committee examined the nominees’ curricula vitae and supporting documents and was satisfied with their qualifications, experience, competence and exposure to human rights issues.

The committee subsequently recommended their confirmation as chairman and members of the governing council.

The motion was seconded by Senator Ekong Samson, representing Akwa Ibom South, who said that members of the screening panel agreed that the nominees were qualified to help strengthen human rights protection in Nigeria.

Samson 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 Abdullahi Saidu as executive chairman, alongside Mohammed Mai-Eka, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, Suleiman Gidado, Louis Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Onikola as members.