FCC urges tertiary institutions to apply equity in staff recruitment

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has issued a directive calling upon all federal tertiary institutions to adhere to the principles of equity, fairness, and justice in their recruitment processes.

This call was made in a statement released on Wednesday by FCC spokesperson, Chuks Okoli.

According to Mr. Okoli, the application of these principles is essential and must align with Section 14 (B) of the Constitution. The FCC emphasised its role in ensuring that federal institutions maintain a balance in their recruitment practices to uphold the principles of federal character.

The statement highlighted concerns raised by the FCC regarding some federal tertiary institutions engaging in recruitment exercises without involving the commission. The FCC reiterated its mandate to oversee and guarantee equity, fairness, and justice in all recruitment activities within federal institutions.

He explained that the commission’s mandate was to enforce the federal character principle, which aims to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of posts, socio-economic amenities, and infrastructural facilities amongst the federating units nationwide.

“Therefore, all the Federal Character Commission guidelines must be strictly adhered to by any recruiting federal tertiary institution. For the avoidance of doubt, please refer to the commission’s handbook.

“Any person, MDA or federal tertiary institution that carries out recruitment without abiding by the Federal Character Commission’s recruitment guideline and principle shall be committing an offence under section 14, punishable under section 15 of the Act.

“National Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), all heads of federal institutions and other relevant authorities are to please take note,” Mr Okoli said.