By Esther Onyegbula

The Commissioner representing Lagos State at the Federal Character Commission, Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah, on Monday called for stricter adherence to constitutional provisions guiding federal appointments and distribution of resources, insisting that Lagos indigenes must receive a fair share of federal jobs and infrastructure within the state.

Speaking at the Lagos State office of the Commission to mark the commencement of his second tenure, Bawa-Allah said the Federal Character principle remains central to promoting equity, fairness and justice in Nigeria’s federal structure.

He pledged to work closely with the Commission’s Chairman, Hulayat Omidiran, and other stakeholders to strengthen the institution, which President Bola Tinubu had described during its inauguration as the “conscience of the nation.”

“Much more is achievable when we work together. A more united Nigeria is possible through equity, fairness and justice,” he said.

Bawa-Allah, who was reappointed and inaugurated on January 22, 2026, alongside other commissioners by Tinubu, said his renewed mandate would prioritise addressing what he described as the marginalisation of Lagos indigenes in federal establishments operating within the state.

“There will not be fairness if someone can benefit from another state and still come to take the slot meant for a bona fide Lagosian,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that at the start of his first tenure in 2020, Lagos indigenes constituted only about 10 per cent of junior-level positions (Levels 1–6) in federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, located in the state.

“It was shocking that in federal agencies situated in Lagos, indigenous representation at the lower cadre was about 10 per cent, whereas ordinarily it should be between 65 and 75 per cent,” he said.

According to him, sustained engagement with federal institutions over the past five years led to improvements in the figures, although he acknowledged that gaps still exist.

He further revealed disparities in staffing patterns submitted to the Commission by some state and local government agencies, noting that at a point, non-indigenes accounted for 67 per cent of staff strength in certain establishments, compared to 33 per cent indigenes.

“We were able to reduce the gap, though not as much as we would have wanted because the state government did not carry out major recruitment during that period,” he said.

Bawa-Allah identified low participation of Lagos indigenes in military and paramilitary recruitment as a major concern.

“When I came on board, there was virtually no engagement with traditional rulers, local governments or the state government on defence recruitment. We built that relationship, and participation improved,” he said.

He, however, lamented that while some states record thousands of applicants for positions in the Nigerian Army, Navy, Immigration and Police, Lagos often records between 500 and 600 applicants, with the number further reduced after screening processes.

“In some states, applicants run into thousands. In Lagos, you may have about 500 or 600. After health screening and other checks, the number reduces further. We have managed to meet our allotted quota, but we should be doing far better,” he added.

He urged parents to encourage their children to explore careers in the armed forces and paramilitary services, describing military service as offering education, camaraderie and career progression.

The commissioner also cautioned against the procurement of fake indigene certificates by non-indigenes seeking to benefit from Lagos quotas.

“It is not enough that you live in Lagos. Indigeneship is conferred by lineage, from your parents or grandparents, who have never declared another state as their state of origin,” he said.

Describing the practice as fraudulent, he warned that offenders risk prosecution.

“If there are only 10 slots and you already have opportunity in another state, coming here displaces someone who has no alternative. That is injustice, and Federal Character is meant to prevent that,” he said.

Bawa-Allah stressed that the Commission’s mandate extends beyond employment to monitoring equitable distribution of federal infrastructure and social amenities across states.

“The Federal Character Commission is not only about jobs. We also monitor socio-economic facilities, roads, schools and healthcare to ensure balance based on population and landmass,” he said.

He noted that although Lagos hosts significant federal infrastructure as Nigeria’s former capital, some districts remain underserved.

“We must ensure equitable, not necessarily equal, distribution. Areas that are underserved should receive attention in future federal projects,” he said.

Bawa-Allah expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his reappointment.

“To represent over 20 million Lagosians is a sacred responsibility. This second tenure is a call to greater service, greater passion and greater commitment,” he said.