As we speak, the Federal Character Commission is running on empty. According to the Executive Chairman, none of the commissioners currently has an official vehicle. The commission’s car pool has been depleted, leaving even the head of the agency to rely on a fairly used personal car. She admitted she drives it daily hoping it does not break down on her way to and from work.
The chairman used the opportunity to appeal directly to the Senate Committee for urgent intervention. She asked lawmakers to back the commission’s push for increased budgetary allocations. Without more funding, she said, basic operations will continue to suffer.
Staffing and welfare were next on her list of priorities. The FCC boss stressed the need for additional personnel to handle its growing mandate. She also called for improved welfare packages for current employees to boost morale and retention. 
Technology and mobility came up as critical gaps. The chairman requested support for technological upgrades to modernize the commission’s systems. She also emphasized the need for operational vehicles to enable monitoring and enforcement across the country.
To strengthen enforcement, she urged the Senate to support the creation of a special Federal Character Commission Tribunal. The proposed tribunal, she explained, would speed up the prosecution of individuals and institutions that violate federal character provisions.
The commission is already taking steps on its own. According to her, the FCC has engaged the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The goal is to strengthen the legal department and improve the agency’s enforcement mechanisms.
Digitization is also underway as part of broader reforms. Omidiran disclosed that the commission has started digitizing its recruitment monitoring and compliance systems. The move is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in how federal appointments are tracked.
She noted that a new website was recently launched as part of those reforms. The platform is expected to make compliance data more accessible to the public and to agencies under FCC supervision.
Senator Dafinone Ede, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, responded with concern. He highlighted persistent allegations of recruitment irregularities, job racketeering, and non-compliance with federal character rules in several government agencies.
The senator warned that manipulated nominal rolls and abuse of waiver provisions continue to undermine fair representation. He assured the commission that the Committee would review its requests for better funding, staff welfare, operational support, and stronger enforcement. “The Federal Character Commission must be adequately empowered, properly funded, accountable and proactive in advancing national unity and inclusion. Every Nigerian must have confidence that there is a place for them in the Nigerian project,” he said. The session was part of the Committee’s oversight duties to assess the FCC’s challenges and strengthen implementation of the Federal Character Principle nationwide.
