The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, equity and national cohesion, charging members of the newly inaugurated fifth Board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to strengthen enforcement of constitutional provisions on inclusive governance.

 

This call was made on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day induction and sensitization workshop for FCC board members at Stratton Hotel, Abuja.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. George Akume, OFR, his Technical Adviser, Professor Babatunde Bernard, described the workshop as a strategic national engagement designed to reposition the Commission as a proactive and results-oriented institution.

 

Professor Bernard stressed the need for the Commission to adopt a firmer regulatory posture in carrying out its mandate.

 

“The Commission must move beyond routine compliance toward a more assertive regulatory framework that ensures fairness, accountability, and inclusive governance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Nigerians expect a Commission that is principled, independent, and professional. The Federal Character Principle must neither be politicized nor diluted,” he said.

 

Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, described the Federal Character Commission as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s governance architecture. He reminded commissioners that their responsibilities go beyond political appointments to the equitable distribution of national opportunities and development initiatives.

 

“Federal Character must never become a mere arithmetic exercise. Representation and merit must strengthen one another rather than compete. You are custodians of one of the most delicate compacts holding our nation together. When fairness is upheld, Nigeria feels united; when it is ignored, the country feels fragile,” Gbajabiamila stated.

 

Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the legislature and the Commission to ensure balanced representation across the federation.

 

“The Federal Character Commission must remain a guardian of fairness and inclusion. Balanced representation builds trust and reinforces democratic stability. Inclusion and competence must work together. Strong institutions emerge when fairness and merit are applied side by side,” Wase said.

 

Representing the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, reiterated the need for disciplined and efficient human resource management within the public service.

 

“Federal Character is not only about representation; it is about ensuring that appointments and placements are strategic, merit-driven, and aligned with national priorities,” he noted.

 

In her welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, described the induction programme as a defining moment in the Commission’s institutional evolution. She said the workshop was aimed at aligning vision, deepening understanding of statutory responsibilities, and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

 

“The Federal Character Principle is not a political slogan; it is a stabilizing framework that promotes fairness, inclusion, and national cohesion. It will not be business as usual. We are committed to ethical conduct, accountability, and lawful enforcement of our mandate,” Omidiran affirmed.

 

The opening session was attended by the FCC Secretary, commissioners and directors. The workshop, themed “Guiding the Effective Implementation and Enforcement of the Federal Character Principle,” features sessions led by seasoned resource persons and policy experts, focusing on leadership, monitoring frameworks, data-driven compliance and collaborative governance.

 

Dignitaries present included Hon. Hulayat Omidiran, Executive Chairman of the FCC; Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Chairman, House Committee on Federal Character; Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Professor Babatunde Bernard, representative of the SGF; and Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office.