The Senate has raised serious concerns regarding the adherence to the Federal Character Principle by various federal institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and several other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This revelation emerged during a plenary session on Tuesday, following the endorsement of a motion sponsored by a prominent senator addressing the urgent need to rectify the systemic abuses and poor implementation of the Federal Character Principle within Nigeria’s public sector.
In his remarks, the senator emphasized that the 1999 Constitution prohibits the overrepresentation of individuals from limited states or ethnic groups in federal appointments. He pointed out that, despite the shortage of recruitment opportunities, promotions are often based more on seniority than on merit, thereby deepening the marginalization of certain regions.
He stated that the failure to enforce the Federal Character Principle has led to a public sector where favoritism supersedes competence, ultimately undermining the effectiveness of institutions. The principle, intended to balance merit with equitable representation of Nigeria’s diverse groups, has not been effectively applied, harming discipline, morale, and overall efficiency.
Additionally, the senator listed multiple agencies that have reportedly failed to comply with the Federal Character Principle, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Ports Authority, and various others. These institutions were accused of neglecting established guidelines in their recruitment procedures.
The senator also cautioned that ongoing violations of these laws could jeopardize several legislative provisions designed to ensure accountability and transparency in federal appointments. He highlighted concerns over the performance of the Federal Character Commission, suggesting that systemic issues such as underfunding and political interference hinder its effectiveness.
In light of these findings, the Senate has tasked its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs with investigating all ministries, departments, and agencies to evaluate their compliance with the Federal Character provisions. The committee is expected to deliver its results within four weeks.
