The Nigerian Senate confirmed 18 candidates for the governing boards of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the National Human Rights Commission during a plenary session on Wednesday. According to Punch, the approvals followed the adoption of reports from the Senate finance panel and the judiciary, human rights and legal affairs committee. Abdullahi Saidu was named executive chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, while Salamatu Suleiman was designated head of the National Human Rights Commission.
Lere Oyewunmi, deputy head of the Senate finance panel, presented the report on the Fiscal Responsibility Commission candidates. He stated that the panel examined the candidates' resumes, academic credentials, and professional backgrounds before endorsing them. Oyewunmi noted that the committee was impressed by letters from former employers for the chairman and several other members, which verified their competence. He highlighted Saidu's background in revenue management and fiscal oversight, noting his previous role at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission. The motion was seconded by Senator Simon Lalong, who described the candidates as reputable individuals with strong track records.
In a separate presentation, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, head of the Senate judiciary and legal affairs panel, outlined the recommendations for the National Human Rights Commission. He explained that the nominations were sent to the committee in late April 2026, and that screening occurred the previous day. The committee assessed the candidates' experience and familiarity with human rights issues, concluding they were suitable for the roles. Senator Ekong Samson seconded the motion, praising President Bola Tinubu for selecting candidates he described as men and women of substance.
The confirmed members of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission include six additional staff alongside Saidu. The National Human Rights Commission board comprises ten additional members alongside Suleiman. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presided over the session and urged the new appointees to execute their duties in line with their respective mandates. The full list of names was published in a separate report by Punch, detailing the specific individuals assigned to each commission's board.