FCC warns MDAs against recruitment without approval

The Federal Character Commission, FCC, has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, against conducting recruitment, promotion or other personnel-related exercises without the Commission’s involvement, saying violators risk sanctions.

The warning was issued on Tuesday during an interactive meeting 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.

Chairman of the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation and Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State, Hon. Peter Eze, said the Commission was shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach in enforcing the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in the Constitution.

According to him, the meeting 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 explained that the Commission had identified gaps in recruitment, promotions and personnel monitoring, stressing that such processes must henceforth involve the FCC.

“We identified issues relating to recruitment, 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.

Eze, however, commended the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for embracing the Commission’s renewed oversight role and expressing willingness to work closely with the FCC.

He also disclosed that the Commission would collaborate with the corporation to review its nominal roll to ensure future recruitment reflects equitable representation of all states in line with the Federal Character Principle.

Responding, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, described the engagement as timely and beneficial, reaffirming the corporation’s commitment to promoting national integration and complying with the constitutional provisions on the Federal Character Principle.

“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 added that the corporation would continue to strengthen collaboration with the Commission while deploying technology to improve railway operations despite funding constraints.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, said the Commission’s engagement with federal agencies was aimed at promoting compliance through collaboration rather than confrontation.

She noted that while the FCC preferred dialogue and guidance, agencies that deliberately violated the Federal Character Principle would face appropriate sanctions in accordance with constitutional provisions.

“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,” Omidiran said.

She added that the Commission had also streamlined its approval process, enabling complete applications to receive approval on the same day as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery.