The House of Representatives has summoned the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, to address allegations of lopsided recruitment practices that reportedly violate the federal character principle.
The resolution, passed during a plenary session on Thursday, follows concerns raised by lawmakers about irregularities in the FCSC’s recruitment processes, which are said to favor certain regions or groups, undermining fairness and national unity.
The motion, moved by Hon. Ali Isa, the Minority Whip, highlighted claims that recent recruitment exercises across various federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have deviated from the constitutional mandate of equitable representation as outlined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
This section emphasizes that federal appointments must reflect Nigeria’s diverse character to promote national unity and prevent the predominance of specific states or ethnic groups.
Isa argued that the alleged irregularities erode public trust, reduce operational efficiency, and foster feelings of marginalization among underrepresented regions.
The summons comes amid broader scrutiny of federal recruitment processes, with similar probes recently launched into agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for alleged non-compliance with federal character principles.
The FCSC, responsible for appointments, transfers, and disciplinary actions within the federal civil service, has faced prior criticism for recruitment practices.
In 2023, the Senate investigated similar allegations, citing deviations from the federal character principle and the discovery of 1,618 civil servants with fake employment letters, as reported by then-Head of Service, Folashade Yemi-Esan.
The current investigation follows the FCSC’s January 2025 announcement of over 70 vacancies across MDAs, which faced public backlash due to technical issues with the recruitment portal and concerns over transparency.
Lawmakers emphasized that unchecked lopsided recruitment could weaken the cohesion of the civil service and hinder effective governance.
The House has urged the FCSC to provide detailed records, including nominal rolls, to verify compliance with federal character protocols. Prof. Olaopa is expected to appear before the committee to clarify the allegations and outline corrective measures.
The investigation’s outcome could influence future recruitment policies and reinforce the enforcement of equitable representation in Nigeria’s civil service.
The public and stakeholders await further developments as the committee begins its probe.
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