Senate Flags Underfunding Of Federal Character Commission In 2026 Budget
By TOSAN OYAKHILOME-AKAHOMEN
Senate Raises Red Flag at Budget Defence
CONCERNED by what it described as persistent financial constraints, the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has raised alarm over the underfunding of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in the proposed 2026 budget.
The issue came to the fore during the Commission’s 2026 budget defence session at the National Assembly in Abuja, where lawmakers warned that inadequate allocations could cripple the agency’s ability to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.
₦6.5bn Proposal Amid Operational Strain
Presenting a proposed budget of ₦6.5 billion, FCC Executive Chairman, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, said the Commission has continued to grapple with limited resources, which have significantly weakened its monitoring and enforcement capacity.
According to her, the Commission is mandated to oversee compliance with federal character principles across more than 700 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) nationwide. However, insufficient funding has made it difficult to effectively supervise recruitment processes and ensure equitable representation across states and geopolitical zones.
“Federal Character is a constitutional duty,” Omidiran told lawmakers. “We must be adequately equipped to enforce it effectively for the sake of fairness, balance and national unity.”
She appealed to the Senate to prioritise improved funding, stressing that the Commission’s mandate is central to sustaining inclusivity in federal appointments and the public service.
Lawmakers: Constitutional Duty Must Be Backed by Resources
Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Allwell Heacho, described the funding gap as a serious setback to the Commission’s performance. He emphasised that the federal character principle is enshrined in the Constitution and cannot be treated as optional.
“Federal Character is not optional. It is backed by the Constitution. The Commission responsible for enforcing it must be properly funded to deliver,” Heacho stated.
He assured the FCC of legislative support, noting that the Committee would work toward strengthening the Commission’s operational capacity while ensuring accountability and transparency in its activities.
With growing backing from both Senate and House Committees overseeing federal character matters, expectations are high that the 2026 appropriation process will address some of the Commission’s funding challenges.
For lawmakers, the message was clear: without adequate financial support, the constitutional promise of equitable representation risks becoming difficult to enforce in practice.
