…Demands Halt on New Hires, Calls for Transparency and Compliance with Federal Character Principle
Peter Jatau, Abuja, Nigeria — The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Character Commission has raised serious concerns over what it described as the continued unequal distribution of personnel across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in the country.
At an interactive session held in Abuja, the committee chairman, Rt. Hon. Ahmad Idris Wase, expressed dismay over the flagrant disregard for the Federal Character principle by several government agencies. The principle, enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, mandates fair and equitable representation of all states in federal appointments and institutions.
Hon. Wase specifically called out the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for allegedly failing in its oversight duties, warning the current leadership not to toe the path of previous administrations that, according to him, allowed impunity and lopsided appointments to fester unchecked.
“We will no longer condone a situation where recruitment and promotions in federal institutions benefit only a few, while large sections of the country remain excluded,” Wase stated firmly. “This commission must live up to its constitutional responsibilities or risk losing public confidence.”
Directive Issued
In a decisive move, the committee directed the FCC to immediately halt any ongoing recruitment exercises and submit the nominal rolls of all its staff within one week. The lawmakers insisted that any future recruitment must strictly comply with the Federal Character Act, which aims to foster national unity through inclusiveness and equity in public sector employment.
Wase stressed the need for stronger legislative oversight and cooperation with the Commission to restore trust in federal appointments and ensure that every state of the federation is adequately represented, particularly at the directorate and top management levels.
Commission Vows Reform
Responding to the lawmakers’ queries, the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Kayode Oladele, pledged to work in strict accordance with the law and to ensure that the agency fulfills its mandate.
Oladele acknowledged past shortcomings but affirmed his commitment to reform, transparency, and collaboration with the National Assembly.
“We will align with the objectives of the Commission as set out in the Act. We are ready to cooperate with the committee to ensure full compliance with the Federal Character principle in all recruitment and promotion exercises,” he assured.
Background
The Federal Character Commission was established to promote equity and fairness in the recruitment and placement of public officers across the federal civil service. Its core mandate includes monitoring, evaluating, and enforcing compliance with the Federal Character principle to reflect the country’s diverse ethnic and regional makeup in federal appointments.
However, in recent years, the Commission has faced criticism over perceived favoritism, skewed recruitment processes, and lack of enforcement against defaulters.
Next Steps
With the committee’s latest directive, all eyes are now on the Federal Character Commission as it prepares to submit its staff list and suspend further recruitment activities. Analysts say the development could mark a turning point in efforts to entrench fairness and inclusivity in Nigeria’s federal institutions—provided the legislature follows through with sustained oversight and the Commission takes proactive corrective action.
As the push for transparency intensifies, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the FCC can rise to the challenge and fulfill its critical role in nation-building.
