The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against carrying out recruitments, promotions and other personnel processes without its involvement, declaring that defaulters would face constitutional sanctions.
The warning came on Tuesday during an interactive session between the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation and the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where both agencies pledged closer collaboration to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Character Principle.
Chairman of the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation and Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State, Hon. Peter Eze, said the meeting underscored the Commission’s shift from a reactive to a proactive strategy in enforcing equitable representation across federal institutions.
According to him, the engagement formed part of the Commission’s constitutional oversight responsibility over the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other federal agencies.
“We no longer want to be reactive to issues involving MDAs. We want to be proactive. We have reached a stage where we want to be strategic rather than merely administrative,” Eze said.
He disclosed that discussions centred on recruitment, promotion and monitoring processes, stressing that the Commission would no longer tolerate its exclusion from activities under its constitutional mandate.
“We identified issues relating to recruitments, monitoring and promotions. They are now aware that the Commission has the constitutional mandate to oversee those areas.
“Going forward, if such activities are carried out without involving the Federal Character Commission, we will take appropriate action,” he warned.
Despite the warning, Eze commended the leadership of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for embracing the Commission’s renewed approach and demonstrating commitment to compliance.
“We are very satisfied with their response. The Managing Director and his management team have the interest of Nigeria at heart. They are committed to the country’s progress and to promoting a united and functional Nigeria,” he said.
The lawmaker further disclosed that the Commission and the NRC would jointly review the corporation’s nominal roll to ensure future recruitments reflect equitable representation of all states in line with constitutional provisions.
Responding, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, described the engagement as productive and beneficial, noting that it reinforced the importance of collaboration among government institutions.
“The interaction is fantastic. It was highly educational, professional and conducted in good faith. It has further highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation,” Opeifa said.
He reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to national unity, describing the railway system as one of Nigeria’s strongest symbols of integration.
“If there is any federal agency that symbolises national integration, it is the Nigerian Railway Corporation. Likewise, if there is any federal agency mandated to sustain that integration, it is the Federal Character Commission.
“We have assured the commission that we will do everything possible to strengthen what the Nigerian Railway Corporation represents, which is Nigeria’s integration,” he added.
Opeifa also said the corporation was deploying technology to improve rail operations despite financial limitations.
“We are already deploying technology within the limits of what we can afford. If we have more funding, we will deploy even more technology. Whatever budget is made available to us will be used judiciously to ensure Nigerians benefit from it,” he stated.
Also speaking during a courtesy visit after the meeting, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, said the Commission’s engagements with federal agencies were intended to build cooperation rather than create conflict.
She maintained that the FCC remained committed to ensuring every Nigerian enjoys a sense of belonging through faithful implementation of the Federal Character Principle.
“We share the same mission and objective — to make Nigeria better, unite the country, ensure everyone feels welcome and make every Nigerian feel relevant in the scheme of things,” Omidiran said.
She stressed that while dialogue remained the Commission’s preferred approach, agencies that deliberately violated constitutional provisions would not escape sanctions.
“I have always maintained that the FCC is not a punitive organisation. My approach is to collaborate with everyone. It is only when an agency deliberately refuses to comply that we will invoke the constitutional provisions empowering us to sanction offenders,” she said.
Omidiran further revealed that the Commission had streamlined its approval process as part of ongoing reforms, noting that complete applications now receive approval on the same day to improve efficiency and service delivery.
