FCC, NRC Strengthen Collaboration On Federal Character Compliance
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring compliance with the Federal Character Principle in recruitment, promotions and other personnel processes across the railway corporation.
The renewed commitment was made during an interactive meeting between the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation and the management of the NRC 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 marked a shift in the commission’s approach from reacting to violations to proactively ensuring compliance with constitutional provisions.
According to Eze, the meeting formed part of the FCC’s oversight responsibility over the NRC and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with discussions centred on recruitment, promotions and monitoring.
He stressed that the commission has the constitutional mandate to oversee such personnel processes and warned that agencies carrying out recruitments or promotions without involving the FCC could face appropriate sanctions.
Eze, however, commended the NRC management for embracing the commission’s renewed approach and expressing readiness to work closely with the FCC.
He also disclosed that the commission would collaborate with the corporation to review its nominal roll to ensure future recruitments reflect equitable representation of states in line with the Federal Character Principle.
Responding, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, described the engagement as productive and timely, noting that it underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions.
He reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to promoting national integration, describing the railway as one of Nigeria’s strongest symbols of unity.
Opeifa also said the corporation was deploying technology to improve its operations despite funding constraints, adding that additional budgetary support would enable wider deployment of digital solutions to enhance railway services.
Speaking separately, FCC Executive Chairman, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, said the commission’s engagement with federal agencies was designed to encourage collaboration rather than confrontation.
She reiterated the FCC’s commitment to ensuring every Nigerian enjoys a sense of belonging through strict adherence to the Federal Character Principle.
Omidiran added that while the commission preferred dialogue and guidance, it would invoke constitutional provisions to sanction agencies that deliberately fail to comply.
She further disclosed that the FCC had streamlined its approval process, with complete applications now receiving approval on the same day as part of ongoing reforms to improve efficiency and service delivery.
