Federal Character Commission (FCC), on Wednesday, said that it is set to sanction any institutions that are found to be violating character recruitment guidelines and principles across the country.
The commission’s mandate is to enforce the Federal Character Principle, which aims to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of posts and socio-economic amenities among the federating units nationwide.
FCC, in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs & Communication, Dr.Chuks Okoli, the commission expressed its dismay at the observation that some Federal Tertiary Institutions are carrying out staff recruitment exercises without consulting the FCC.
The commission noted that the situation arose after a circular from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which relieved Federal Tertiary Institutions from obtaining approval and waivers for recruitment.
“The mandate of the Commission is to enforce the Federal Character Principle which is aimed at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of posts and of socio-economic amenities, infrastructural facilities amongst the federating units nationwide.
“The circular from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation did not say that Federal Tertiary Institutions should not comply with Federal Character Principle.
“Therefore, all the Federal Character Commission Guidelines must be strictly adhered to by any recruiting Federal Tertiary Institution. For the avoidance of doubt, please refer to the commission’s handbook.
“Any person, MDA or Federal Tertiary Institution that carries out recruitment without abiding by the Federal Character Commission’s recruitment guideline and principle shall be committing an offense under section 14, punishable under section 15 of the Act.
“National Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), all Heads of Federal Institutions and other relevant authorities are to please take note.”
