Reps’ committee seeks stronger financial backing for Federal Character Commission

By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has reiterated the determination of her leadership to strengthen the commission with a view to enforcing the federal character principle, despite prevailing funding challenges.

Hon Omidiran gave the assurance on Friday during the Commission’s budget defence before the House of Representatives: Committee on Federal Character at the National Assembly.

The Executive Chairman, according to a statement by Ademola Lawrence,

Spokesperson,FCC, opened up on the inadequate funding which has continued to constrain the Commission’s statutory activities.

These activities, she said, included; nationwide monitoring, compliance audits and enforcement measures across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Her words, “We are focused and determined to do the work that the Constitution and the President have entrusted us with,”.

The FCC boss, however, assured the lawmakers that the Commission remains resolute in ensuring equity, fairness and balanced representation in line with its constitutional mandate.

According to her, “As a Commission, it is our responsibility to engage with relevant government parastatals and ministries to secure the necessary funding we require.

“We believe that with consultation and collaboration, it will be a successful venture for the Commission”, she said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, Honorable Ahmed Idris Wase, expressed deep concern over what he described as near-zero budgetary allocation to the Commission, stressing that such financial inadequacies severely undermine its operational effectiveness.

Wase assured the FCC of the committee’s firm legislative backing in advocating for improved funding and strengthening the Commission’s capacity to fully exercise its constitutional mandate.

Continuing, he said, “We cannot reasonably expect the Federal Character Commission to enforce compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies while grappling with insufficient funding”

 “If we are genuinely committed to fairness, equity, and national cohesion, then we must be deliberate in adequately funding the institution established to safeguard these principles.

“As a Committee, we shall work closely with the leadership of the Commission to ensure that its budgetary provisions reflect the magnitude of its mandate. The era of skeletal or token funding must give way to realistic and sustainable financial support,” he concluded.

The budget defence session concluded on a note of renewed collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Commission, reflecting a shared determination to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability, and promote equitable representation within Nigeria’s public service.