By Matthew Johnson

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Mrs Hulayat Omidiran, Thursday, pledged to improve staff welfare, warning that the Commission will not tolerate job racketeering in Nigeria’s public service recruitment system.

The FCC chairman gave the assurance during a general staff meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where employees across all cadres met alongside commissioners representing different states.

Omidiran, in a statement by her spokesperson, Mr Ademola Lawrence, warned that anyone found engaging in illegal recruitment activities would face consequences.

While addressing staff members, she emphasised that protecting the integrity of the country’s recruitment system remains central to the Commission’s mandate.

The statement reads: “The Federal Character Commission was established to guarantee fairness, equity, and justice in public service recruitment. Anyone involved in job racketeering is undermining the law and betraying the trust of Nigerians.

“We are introducing a whistle-blowing number through which Nigerians and staff can safely report anyone involved in recruitment racketeering. The Commission will treat such reports seriously because integrity must remain the foundation of our work.”

The FCC chairman also assured employees that improving staff welfare remains a priority of her administration.

“Our staff are the backbone of this Commission. I understand the challenges many of you face, and I want to assure you that your welfare will receive the attention it deserves. A motivated workforce is essential if we must deliver effectively on our national mandate,” she stated.

Omidiran described the meeting as a major milestone toward strengthening communication and trust between management and staff within the Commission.

“This is the first time in many years that a General Staff Meeting is bringing together everyone, regardless of cadre. It is important that we create platforms where we can listen to one another and move forward together as one Commission.”

Speaking on behalf of workers, the chairman of the Tripartite Union, Mr. Ameh Benson, commended the FCC leadership for prioritising staff welfare since Omidiran assumed office in January 2026.

Benson said: “Since the chairman came on board in January, staff members have seen clear signs that their welfare truly matters. Her leadership has brought renewed hope and confidence within the Commission.

“For the first time in the history of the Commission, staff members have benefited from digital capacity training organised in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency. This training is helping workers acquire the digital skills needed to remain relevant in today’s workplace.”

He further commended the management for addressing the long-standing water supply challenge within the Commission.

“The provision of a new borehole has solved a problem staff endured for many years. Today, access to running water is no longer a challenge in the Commission”, he said.