The Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusiveness in governance, calling for stronger collaboration with civil society organizations in promoting awareness and accountability across Nigeria.
He made this known while welcoming members of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) during an advocacy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Highlighting the FCC’s constitutional mandate, the Chairman explained that the Commission’s role extends beyond Abuja and federal ministries, stressing that equity in appointments, promotions, and resource distribution must be reflected at all levels of governance.
“Our jurisdiction goes beyond federal institutions. At the state level, governors must ensure diversity in governance, while at the local government level, recruitment and projects must reflect fairness across wards and communities. Even in the private sector, corporations employing thousands of Nigerians are expected to embrace inclusivity in their workforce and leadership,” he said.
According to him, the federal character principle is not an administrative exercise but the foundation of national unity in a diverse country of over 250 ethnic groups. “Equity must be systemic. It must flow from the centre to the grassroots, touching every Nigerian where they live and work,” he added.
On the role of civil society, the FCC Chairman emphasized that NGOs are indispensable partners in bridging the Commission’s limited reach. He noted that groups like CISLAC play a vital role in sensitizing citizens about their rights, monitoring compliance, and raising alarms where exclusion or imbalance occurs.
“Civil society creates trust between institutions and citizens. When groups like CISLAC stand beside the FCC to advocate fairness, Nigerians are reassured that inclusivity is a shared value,” he said.
Calling for stronger partnership, the Chairman urged CISLAC to help expand grassroots awareness of the federal character principle and to hold institutions at all levels accountable. He assured that the Commission remains open to collaboration and committed to enforcing equity across public and private sectors.
The advocacy visit, he noted, underscores the importance of working together to ensure that no Nigerian feels excluded and that opportunities are fairly shared as part of a collective effort to strengthen national unity.