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The Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration to ensure fairness, equity, and compliance with the Federal Character Principle in recruitment, promotions, and other personnel matters across federal institutions.
The renewed partnership was strengthened on Tuesday during an interactive meeting between the FCC Committee on Works, Transport, and Aviation and the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Chairman of the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation and Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State, Hon. Peter Eze, said the engagement underscored the Commission’s determination to adopt a more strategic and proactive approach to enforcing the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
He explained that the meeting formed part of the Commission’s constitutional oversight responsibility over the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“We no longer want to be reactive to issues involving MDAs. We want to be proactive. We have reached a stage where we want to be strategic rather than merely administrative,” Eze said.
According to him, discussions centred on recruitment, promotions and monitoring, which are critical areas where the Commission had not previously been adequately involved.
“We identified issues relating to recruitments, monitoring and promotions. They are now aware that the Commission has the constitutional mandate to oversee those areas.
“Going forward, if such activities are carried out without involving the Federal Character Commission, we will take appropriate action,” he warned.
Eze, however, commended the management of the NRC for embracing the Commission’s renewed vision and demonstrating its readiness to work closely with the FCC in promoting national unity and inclusiveness.
“We are very satisfied with their response. The Managing Director and his management team have the interest of Nigeria at heart. They are committed to the country’s progress and to promoting a united and functional Nigeria,” he added.
He further disclosed that the Commission would collaborate with the railway corporation to review its nominal roll to ensure future recruitment reflects equitable representation of all states of the federation.
Responding, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, described the engagement as timely, productive and reflective of the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions.
“The interaction is fantastic. It was highly educational, professional and conducted in good faith. It has further highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation,” Opeifa said.
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Reaffirming the Corporation’s commitment to national integration, Opeifa noted that the Nigerian Railway Corporation remains one of the foremost symbols of Nigeria’s unity.
“If there is any federal agency that symbolises national integration, it is the Nigerian Railway Corporation. Likewise, if there is any federal agency mandated to sustain that integration, it is the Federal Character Commission.
“We have assured the Commission that we will do everything possible to strengthen what the Nigerian Railway Corporation represents, which is Nigeria’s integration,” he said.
The NRC boss also revealed that the Corporation had continued to deploy technology to improve service delivery despite funding constraints.
“We are already deploying technology within the limits of what we can afford. If we have more funding, we will deploy even more technology. Whatever budget is made available to us will be used judiciously to ensure Nigerians benefit from it,” he added.
Speaking while receiving members of the FCC Committee and the NRC management on a courtesy visit following the interactive session, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, said the Commission’s engagements with federal agencies were designed to foster collaboration rather than confrontation.
She stressed that the FCC remains committed to ensuring every Nigerian enjoys a sense of belonging through strict adherence to the Federal Character Principle.
“We share the same mission and objective to make Nigeria better, unite the country, ensure everyone feels welcome and make every Nigerian feel relevant in the scheme of things,” Omidiran said.
While reiterating her preference for dialogue and constructive engagement, she maintained that agencies that deliberately flout constitutional provisions would face appropriate sanctions.
“I have always maintained that the FCC is not a punitive organisation. My approach is to collaborate with everyone. It is only when an agency deliberately refuses to comply that we will invoke the constitutional provisions empowering us to sanction offenders,” she stated.
Omidiran further disclosed that the Commission had streamlined its approval processes as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery, noting that complete applications are now approved on the same day.
The meeting marks another step in the FCC’s efforts to strengthen compliance with federal character requirements across MDAs while promoting national integration, fairness and equal opportunities for all Nigerians.
