The Senate has tasked its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as infrastructural development across the country. The goal is to assess their compliance with Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
This resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Osita Ngwu, who highlighted the persistent challenges in achieving equity within Nigeria’s public service. These challenges include limited recruitment opportunities, promotions based on years of service rather than merit, and a lack of mobility for workers outside the public sector.
Lawmakers pointed out that despite constitutional provisions mandating fair representation across ethnic, linguistic, religious, and geographic lines, imbalances persist. The Senate specifically criticized federal institutions such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for allegedly failing to follow federal character guidelines in their recruitment processes.
The committee is expected to report its findings and recommendations within three months to ensure fair and equitable representation in federal appointments, promotions, recruitment, and infrastructural development across the over 900 MDAs.
