By Charles Chijioke
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs has raised fresh concerns over persistent recruitment irregularities, weak compliance with federal character provisions, and growing allegations of job racketeering across Nigeria’s public service, while the Federal Character Commission (FCC) disclosed plans to strengthen enforcement through digital monitoring systems, legislative reforms and closer collaboration with sub-national governments.
The concerns emerged during an interactive session between the Senate Committee and the leadership of the Federal Character Commission in Abuja on Wednesday.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dafinone Ede, said the Federal Character Principle remains one of Nigeria’s most important constitutional mechanisms for promoting national unity, inclusiveness and equal opportunities among citizens.
He noted that despite the constitutional mandate of the Commission, glaring imbalances still exist within the public service, while several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) continue to frustrate the Commission’s oversight responsibilities.
According to him, some MDAs fail to respond to requests for information, maintain inadequate records or deliberately circumvent established recruitment procedures, thereby undermining the integrity of the federal character framework.
Dafinone also expressed concern over allegations of recruitment fraud and job racketeering in parts of the public service, warning that such practices diminish public trust in government institutions.
The lawmaker further cited concerns over alleged manipulation of nominal rolls and abuse of waiver provisions by some agencies to bypass due recruitment processes.
“Institutions entrusted with safeguarding equity must themselves remain above reproach. The Federal Character Principle is not merely about compliance but about ensuring fairness, transparency, and national cohesion,” he said.
Responding to lawmakers’ questions, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, painted what she described as a difficult operational reality for the Commission, blaming inadequate funding and the limitations of the envelope budgeting system for many of its challenges.
She explained that the FCC, established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is responsible not only for monitoring recruitment into federal institutions but also for overseeing equitable distribution of socio-economic amenities and infrastructural projects across the country.
According to her, the Commission operates from its Abuja headquarters and maintains offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a workforce of more than 1,100 personnel.
Omidiran lamented that poor budgetary allocations have severely affected the Commission’s capacity to conduct field inspections, project monitoring exercises, public enlightenment programmes and regular oversight activities nationwide.
One of the Commission’s key mandates, she noted, involves monitoring federal projects and interventions across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, a responsibility that requires extensive logistics and field operations.
“It is inappropriate for a constitutional regulatory body to depend on the same agencies it is expected to regulate for logistics and operational support. Such dependence compromises our independence and oversight functions,” she told the Committee.
She disclosed that funding shortages have virtually halted public sensitisation campaigns designed to educate citizens on the importance and application of the Federal Character Principle.
The FCC boss also revealed the severe depletion of the Commission’s operational vehicle fleet.
“As we speak, none of the commissioners has an official vehicle. The car pool is virtually empty, and I am managing a fairly used vehicle as Executive Chairman, hoping it does not break down on my way to and from the office,” she said.
Beyond funding concerns, Omidiran outlined several reform initiatives currently being pursued by the Commission.
According to her, the FCC is working towards deploying a dedicated digital server capable of tracking recruitment exercises and monitoring compliance with federal character requirements in real time.
The FCC Chairman also informed the Committee that an amendment bill seeking to strengthen the Commission’s powers has already passed first reading in the National Assembly.
“There is an amendment bill that has gone through first reading. We expect the committee to follow it through and ensure passage before the end of this legislative session,” she said.
Part of the proposed reforms, according to her, includes ensuring adequate staffing in state offices and integrating FCC operations more effectively with state governments.
Responding to concerns raised by lawmakers regarding the growing abuse of the replacement recruitment system, which some senators described as a major loophole in federal employment processes, Omidiran assured the Committee that the Commission would intensify monitoring and enforcement efforts.
She also commended members of the Commission for their commitment to ongoing reforms.
“I must commend my commissioners. They are intelligent, smart and ready to work,” she added.
The Commission appealed to the Senate for improved funding, better welfare packages, enhanced salary structures, job-specific allowances, additional staffing and technological support to strengthen its operations.
It also renewed calls for the establishment of a specialised Federal Character Commission Tribunal to fast-track prosecution of individuals and institutions found guilty of violating federal character provisions.
According to Omidiran, discussions are already underway with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to strengthen the Commission’s legal department and improve enforcement capacity.
She further disclosed that the FCC recently launched a new website as part of broader digitisation efforts aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and compliance monitoring.
In his remarks, Senator Dafinone assured the Commission that the Committee would carefully consider its requests, including improved funding, operational vehicles, technological infrastructure, enhanced staff welfare and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework necessary for effective implementation of the Federal Character Principle.
“The Federal Character Commission must be adequately empowered, properly funded, accountable, and proactive in advancing national unity and inclusion. Every Nigerian must have confidence that there is a place for them in the Nigerian project,” he said.
The interactive session formed part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities aimed at evaluating the performance, operational challenges and institutional needs of federal agencies tasked with promoting equity, inclusion and national cohesion.
