The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has issued a stern warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against conducting recruitment, promotions and personnel management exercises without its involvement, declaring that agencies that violate the constitutional provisions on the Federal Character Principle will face sanctions.

The warning was delivered 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 committee and Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State, Hon. Peter Eze, said the Commission had adopted a new enforcement strategy aimed at ensuring strict compliance with the constitutional requirement for equitable representation in the federal public service.

According to him, the Commission would no longer wait until recruitment controversies arise before intervening but would instead engage proactively with MDAs to ensure due process is followed from the outset.

“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 meeting with the NRC formed part of the Commission’s constitutional oversight responsibilities over the railway corporation and other federal institutions, particularly in the areas of recruitment, promotions and personnel monitoring.

Eze disclosed that discussions with the NRC identified areas where the Commission had not been adequately involved in previous personnel exercises, stressing that all federal agencies must henceforth work closely with the FCC before embarking on recruitment or promotion exercises.

“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.

He said the Commission’s renewed enforcement drive was designed to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Character Principle, promote fairness in public service appointments and strengthen national integration through equitable representation of all states of the federation.

Despite the warning, Eze commended the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for embracing the Commission’s renewed compliance framework and demonstrating willingness to align its operations with constitutional requirements.

He disclosed that the Commission and the railway corporation had agreed to review the NRC’s nominal roll to ensure future recruitment exercises reflect fair representation of all states.
“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 added.

Responding, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, described the engagement as productive and educational, saying 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,” he said.

Opeifa described the NRC as one of the strongest symbols of national integration and pledged the corporation’s full support for the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
“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 stated.
He also said the corporation was deploying technology to improve efficiency despite funding constraints, assuring Nigerians that available resources would be prudently managed.

“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,” Opeifa added.

During a courtesy visit after the interactive session, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, reiterated that the Commission preferred dialogue and collaboration with government institutions but would not hesitate to invoke constitutional sanctions where agencies deliberately flouted the law.

“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 said the Commission’s engagements with federal agencies were aimed at strengthening compliance with the Federal Character Principle while fostering cooperation in building a more inclusive and united Nigeria.
“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,” she said.

She also disclosed that the Commission had streamlined its internal approval processes, noting that complete applications now receive same-day approval as part of reforms to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery.