FCC vows to enforce sanctions for recruitment violations

By Jude Opara

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) on Tuesday warned heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) against violating approved recruitment procedures or breach the Federal Character Principle, insisting that such violators risk prosecution and other legal sanctions.

Executive Chairman of the Commission, Honorable Hulayat Omidiran gave the warning, during a press briefing on new recruitment reforms for the Federal Public Service.

According to the Commission, any MDA that fails to comply with constitutional recruitment guidelines will face sanctions under the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act, which empowers the Commission to take legal measures, including prosecuting heads or officials of agencies found guilty of non-compliance.

“We will no longer tolerate irregular recruitment practices that undermine fairness and national balance in the public service. All federal institutions must adhere strictly to the provisions of the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in the Constitution,” she said.

Omidiran explained that the new measures are aimed at promoting fairness, transparency, accountability, and equitable representation of all states and geopolitical zones in federal employment.

According to the new directives, recruitment exercises involving more than one hundred and twenty-five vacancies must be advertised in at least two national newspapers and on the Commission’s official website for a minimum period of six weeks.

MDAs are also required to notify the FCC at least two weeks before advertising vacancies and must invite the Commission to monitor recruitment interviews.

“Transparency in the recruitment process is non-negotiable. The Commission is determined to ensure that every stage of recruitment is properly monitored and conducted in line with established regulations,” she said.

The Commission further directed that all recruitment records, including advertisements, shortlisted candidates, interview reports, and lists of successful candidates by state of origin, must be submitted to the Commission for review before a Certificate of Compliance can be issued.