Federal character: Senate probes compliance by MDAs in recruitment, others

The Senate has expressed concern that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government are violating the Federal Character principle enshrined in Section 14(3–4) of the 1999 Constitution when conducting recruitments or making appointments.

On Tuesday, it directed its Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs to investigate the matter to ensure fair representation of all segments of the country in public sector decisions.

The Senate’s action followed a motion by Sen. Osita Ngwu, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Enugu State, calling for the “urgent need to address systemic abuse and ineffective implementation of the Federal Character principle in Nigeria’s public sector.”

Citing Section 14(3) and (4) of the Constitution, Ngwu stated that “no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups” should be allowed in any MDA.

The senator explained that the constitutional criteria for equitable employment distribution require each state to contribute a proportionate quota of 2.75% of the national workforce. He added, “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) accounts for 1.00% of the workforce, while catchment areas address localized recruitment for junior staff, up to 75% of positions.”

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Several MDAs were specifically mentioned for violating the Federal Character principle, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Many senators supported the motion, acknowledging that several regions of Nigeria have been unfairly treated in federal appointments.

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Abba Moro, along with Sens. Adams Oshiomhole, Seriake Dickson, Olalere Oyewumi, Victor Umeh, and Anthony Ani, all endorsed the motion.