Senate Raises Alarm Over Underfunding of Federal Character Commission in 2026 Budget

The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has expressed deep concern over the persistent underfunding of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in the 2026 budget, warning that inadequate resources are hampering its constitutional mandate.

The concern emerged during the FCC’s budget defence session at the National Assembly in Abuja, where Executive Chairman Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran presented a proposed budget of ₦6.5 billion. Omidiran emphasized that limited funding has weakened the Commission’s capacity to monitor compliance across more than 700 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Federal Character is a constitutional duty, and we must be equipped to enforce it effectively for the good of national unity,” Omidiran said, appealing to senators for improved funding.

FCC spokesperson Ademola Lawrence highlighted that Senator Allwell Heacho, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, described the existing funding gap as a major setback to the Commission’s performance.

“Federal Character is not optional. It is backed by the Constitution. The Commission responsible for enforcing it must be properly funded to deliver,” Heacho said, assuring that the Senate is committed to strengthening FCC operations and accountability across government institutions.

With growing legislative backing from both the Senate and House committees overseeing federal character matters, the FCC plans to intensify enforcement of compliance standards, aiming to ensure fairness, balance, and equitable representation in public service nationwide.

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