Abuja: Executive Chairman Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran has pledged sweeping institutional reforms at the Federal Character Commission, including staff training, process audits, and digitalization.
She further committed to transparency and strict enforcement of the Federal Character Principle to restore credibility and efficiency within the FCC.
On Thursday in Abuja, Omidiran made the pledge during her inaugural address at the commission’s 5th Board inauguration.
She described her appointment, along with those of the commissioners, as a rare privilege—a national call to duty that, she said, must be met with integrity and patriotism.
She thanked President Bola Tinubu for their appointments and commended the Senate for swiftly confirming the board members.
She noted that the board’s members demonstrated credibility and character through their successful security screening and Senate confirmation.
Decree No. 34 of 1996 established the Commission, Omidiran recalled, to ensure fairness, equity, and justice in the distribution of public offices, socio-economic amenities, and infrastructure across the nation.
She stated, “The 1999 Constitution and the Federal Character Enabling Act give the commission its mandate. These empower it to ensure equitable representation in public service appointments as well as balanced distribution of national resources.”
The chairman, however, lamented that, nearly three decades after its establishment, leadership failures, institutional weaknesses, and a lack of political will had caused the commission to fall short of expectations.
She noted that poor performance had brought the FCC’s public perception to its lowest ebb and called for urgent steps to rebuild trust and restore confidence in the institution.
“Public perception of the Commission is at its lowest ebb. We must change the narrative together, starting today. I urge every member of the commission and all stakeholders to unite for immediate and decisive action.
She declared, “I am declaring a state of emergency in all our operations. This action will rekindle and rebuild public trust between government and citizens,” Omidiran said.
She issued a warning: practices such as blanket waivers, job racketeering, recruitment by replacement, and the splitting of recruitment among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) would no longer be tolerated.
MDAs must follow all existing rules of engagement. The era of job racketeering is over; commissioners, staff, and stakeholders must protect, not tarnish, the Commission’s image by avoiding such practices.
“Splitting of recruitment and recruitment by replacement by MDAs will no longer be tolerated, ” Omidiran warned.
Omidiran urged board members and staff to show integrity and dedication as they collaborate to build a legacy of fairness, justice, and balanced development.
She then formally inaugurated the 5th Board of the Federal Character Commission.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to Omidiran, the 5th substantive FCC Executive Chairman, and the board members at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.
