President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has tasked the newly inaugurated 5th Board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to uphold fairness, inclusiveness and national unity.
He also warned that the commission decisions would resonate far beyond their offices and shape public trust, national cohesion and belief in the Nigerian project.
The President, who was represented by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this in Abuja, at the Two-Day Induction and Sensitisation Workshop for newly inaugurated Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission, with the theme, “A Guide to the Implementation and Enforcement of the Federal Character Principle.”
He said the FCC occupies a uniquely strategic position in Nigeria’s governance architecture, noting that the commission was constitutionally established to reflect the country’s diversity in the composition and conduct of the Federal Government and its agencies.
He stressed that managing Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversity fairly was both a political necessity and a moral obligation.
He said, “Your responsibility is both technical and profoundly human. While your work requires diligent oversight of recruitment, appointments, and institutional practices, your greater duty is to safeguard the spirit of fairness and inclusion that our Constitution seeks to uphold.
“Just as importantly, you must be seen to be doing so because, as is often the case in politics, perception, however flawed, soon becomes reality if left unchallenged.
“The mandate that has been assigned to you demands wisdom and balance. Federal Character must never become a mere arithmetic exercise. It must exist alongside competence, professionalism, and efficiency.
“Our institutions must remain inclusive while remaining strong and effective. Your challenge is to ensure that representation and merit strengthen one another rather than compete.”
Earlier in her remarks, Chairman of the FCC, Hon. Hulyat Motunrayo Omidiran, declared that under the current Board, “it will not be business as usual,” as the Commission moves to enforce its constitutional mandate with renewed rigour, discipline and accountability.
Omidiran said, “Let me clearly state that under this Board, it will not be business as usual. We are fully committed to strict adherence to our enabling laws, institutional discipline, ethical conduct, and accountability.
“We shall discharge our responsibilities without fear or favour, we shall be guided by the rule of law, driven by national interest, and inspired by the collective goodwill of the Nigerian people.”
She described the induction programme as a defining moment in the commission’s evolution, marking the transition from appointment to purposeful service following the inauguration of the Board by President Tinubu on January 22, 2026.
She added, “The Federal Character Commission exists to promote fairness, inclusiveness, balance and justice within our diverse nation. The Federal Character Principle is not a political slogan; it is a stabilising framework for national unity.”
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. George Akume, represented by Prof. Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, Senior Technical Adviser to the SGF, charged the Board members to approach their responsibilities with patriotism, professionalism and impartiality.
Akume said the FCC Principle remained a cornerstone of national cohesion and democratic stability, adding that the federal government expected the Commission to intensify monitoring, strengthen oversight and ensure strict compliance across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said: “The manner in which you discharge your duties must therefore reflect objectivity, professionalism, and unwavering loyalty to the Constitution, as public trust in our institutions depends largely on your decisions and conduct.
“I urge you to approach your responsibilities with patriotism and impartiality, while fostering inter-agency collaboration and institutional transparency.
“The Commission is expected to work in synergy with relevant stakeholders, uphold ethical standards, and embrace continuous learning and innovation in the discharge of its mandate.”
