The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Abdullahi Maikano Saidu as Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) and 17 others as members of the governing boards of the FRC and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The confirmations were approved during plenary on Wednesday following the consideration and adoption of reports submitted by the Senate Committees on Finance and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Saidu was confirmed alongside six other members of the FRC board, while Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman was approved as chairman of the NHRC governing council, alongside 10 members.
Presenting the report on the FRC nominees, the Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Lere Oyewunmi, said the committee examined 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 qualifications and experience required for their respective positions.
He added that the committee was particularly impressed that Saidu and about four other nominees presented letters of attestation from their former employers 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 equally 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 professional records suggested they would perform effectively in their new roles.
The Senate subsequently resolved into a committee of the whole to consider the report. The recommendations were adopted through a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Barau congratulated the confirmed nominees and urged them to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the mandates of their respective commissions.
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 the nominees for 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 reviewed the nominees’ curricula vitae and supporting documents and was satisfied with their qualifications, professional experience, competence and knowledge of human rights issues.
The committee consequently recommended their confirmation as chairman and members of the governing council.
Senator Ekong Samson, representing Akwa Ibom South, seconded the motion, saying lawmakers 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 to serve on the commission.
The confirmed NHRC chairman is Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman. Other members are Huwaila Ibrahim, Edmund Obiagwu, Ogunji Kingsley, Oluwakemi Asiawaju-Okenyodo, Adedeji Adekunle, Ayo Adewuyi, Mohammed Adelodun, Eze Anaba, Maupe Ogun-Yusuf and Patience Udoh.
The FRC board members confirmed alongside Saidu are Mohammed Mai-Eka, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, Suleiman Gidado, Louis Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Onikola.
The Fiscal Responsibility Commission is responsible for promoting fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. Its mandate includes monitoring compliance with fiscal responsibility laws and encouraging prudent management of government revenue and expenditure.
The National Human Rights Commission, on the other hand, is mandated to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria, investigate complaints of human rights violations and support efforts to ensure respect for fundamental rights.
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