Inclusions should not compromise excellence — Gbajabiamila tells FCC

2026-02-10 - 12:38

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has cautioned the newly inaugurated members of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, that promoting inclusion and fairness in federal institutions should never compromise competence, professionalism or efficiency. Gbajabiamila gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja at the two-day induction programme for the commission’s newly inaugurated commissioners. He said the FCC was created by the Constitution to ensure that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity. According to him, the mandate is critical to Nigeria’s peace and stability, especially at a time the country must remain united in purpose as global dynamics continue to shift. Gbajabiamila emphasised that federal character is not a numbers game, and inclusion must reinforce, not weaken, institutional effectiveness. He said, “Federal Character must never become a mere arithmetic exercise. It must exist alongside competence, professionalism, and efficiency.” He urged the commissioners to resist pressure, act courageously, and remain guided by the Constitution in recruitment, appointments, and project distribution. He further reminded the board that federal character goes beyond political appointments, covering the fair distribution of infrastructural projects, social services and national resources. He added that the commission serves as a critical layer of checks and balances within the executive, preventing disunity, building public trust and ensuring that inclusion never undermines excellence. In a welcome address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented by Senior Technical Adviser to the SGF, Prof. Babatunde Bernard, described the induction as timely and strategic, aimed at strengthening governance and improving institutional performance. He said the workshop was designed to reposition the Commission as a proactive, transparent and results-oriented body. Executive Chairman of FCC, Hulayat Omidiran, said the workshop marked the formal transition from appointment to purposeful service. She said the FCC occupies a sensitive position in Nigeria’s governance architecture, promoting fairness, inclusiveness, balance and justice in a diverse nation. Omidiran added that the board would focus on modern monitoring techniques, data-driven compliance and credible enforcement processes, insisting that under the new leadership, it would not be business as usual. She said the FCC must discharge its responsibilities without fear or favour, guided by national interest, law and the principles of fairness that reinforce excellence across the federation.