The Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Kayode Oladele, has reiterated the Commission’s stance on upholding merit in all recruitment exercises into federal establishments, stating that the principle of federal character will not be used as an excuse to compromise quality.
Speaking on Thursday, 14th August 2025, during an interactive meeting with the Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, and her management team, Oladele emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in federal recruitment processes.
“The Federal Character Commission under my watch would not compromise merit, it would not step down merit in place of the federal character principle. We are not de-marketing merit, we shall always promote merit in all the recruitment exercises of Ministries, Agencies and Departments,” he said.
Since assuming office a few weeks ago, Oladele has been noted for his strong leadership approach and commitment to the Commission’s mandate. He commended the Director General of NOTAP for her willingness to work with the Commission, describing her collaborative approach as key to promoting peace and unity in the country.
According to him, such cooperation is necessary to address the observed lopsidedness in the nominal rolls of some agencies. He urged NOTAP to ensure that anomalies in recruitment are corrected in future exercises.
“The Federal Character Commission is committed to ensuring fairness and equitable distribution of posts, infrastructural facilities, and socioeconomic amenities among the federating units nationwide,” Oladele stated. He pledged the Commission’s support to NOTAP in achieving equitable manpower distribution.
Oladele also issued a strong warning to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that deliberately flout the constitutionally laid down guidelines for recruitment.
He said, “The Federal Character Commission is a powerful establishment with enormous powers to prosecute any erring MDAs. We have the powers to recruit for agencies; there is no power greater than the constitutional power, and the Federal Character Commission is empowered by the constitution. Therefore, let us collaborate and do our work as required to ensure fairness and justice in the country. This would reduce agitation to the barest minimal.”
Highlighting the importance of equitable distribution in national stability, Oladele noted, “When people get what they want and we continue to promote fairness, transparency, and equitable distribution of resources by ensuring that no state or individual is marginalized, which is one of the agendas of Mr. President’s renewed hope, agitations will reduce and there will be peace.”
In response, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, expressed appreciation to the Acting Executive Chairman for the invitation to the meeting, which she described as an opportunity for more sensitization.
She promised to follow the Commission’s advice and uphold the principle of federal character in all future recruitment exercises.
“Today, this meeting is a purpose-driven one, which marks a significant milestone in the collective pursuit of our core mandates as government organizations,” Dr. Amadiobi said.
She assured that NOTAP would always carry the Federal Character Commission along in its recruitment processes, reinforcing the shared goal of ensuring fairness and equal opportunity across all regions of the country.