Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber has warned that a chronic lack of funding for the body responsible for ensuring ethnic balance in government is undermining a key pillar of the country’s constitution. The Senate Committee on Federal Character said the “underfunding” of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) has left it struggling to monitor hundreds of government agencies, potentially fueling regional grievances in Africa’s most populous nation.
‘Not optional’
The Federal Character principle was established to ensure that appointments to public service positions reflect Nigeria’s linguistic, religious, and ethnic diversity. In a country with over 250 ethnic groups, the policy is seen as a vital tool for preventing any single group from dominating the state apparatus.However, during a 2026 budget defense session at the National Assembly, the FCC’s Executive Chairman, Hulayat Omidiran, revealed the commission is struggling to oversee more than 700 government departments.
“Federal Character is a constitutional duty,”
Ms. Omidiran told lawmakers while presenting a budget proposal of ₦6.5 billion. “We must be equipped to enforce it effectively for the good of national unity.”
A widening gap
The Senate has signaled it will back the commission’s request for more resources. Senator Allwell Heacho, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, described the current funding gap as a “serious setback” for the rule of law.”Federal Character is not optional. It is backed by the Constitution. The Commission responsible for enforcing it must be properly funded to deliver,” Senator Heacho stated.
Why this matters
Critics have often accused various Nigerian administrations of “nepotism” or “lopsidedness” in high-level appointments. Without a fully funded watchdog to monitor recruitment across the civil service, analysts warn that:National stability could be at risk if regions feel marginalized. Accountability in government hiring processes may weaken. Public trust in federal institutions could continue to erode. The move for a budget increase has received rare joint support from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, signaling a growing consensus that the FCC needs “teeth” to enforce fairness in the public sector.
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