By Nkechi Eze
In a landmark move aimed at restoring integrity and fairness to Nigeria’s public sector recruitment processes, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Character Commission (FCC) have announced the formation of a joint task force to address the scourge of job racketeering and related abuses across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Demola Bakare the commission’s spokesperson disclosed in an official signed statement that the initiative was unveiled during a courtesy visit by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, to the FCC headquarters in Abuja. During the visit, both agencies formalized a strategic partnership to ensure the equitable distribution of employment opportunities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, in compliance with constitutional provisions.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Aliyu commended the FCC for its critical constitutional role in upholding national representation and inclusivity in public appointments, describing the federal character principle enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as “vital to the preservation of trust in public institutions.”
“This partnership is about more than just enforcement,” Dr. Aliyu said. “It is about protecting the rights and future of our young citizens, many of whom are victims of illegal recruitment schemes.”
He revealed that the ICPC is currently investigating several cases of job racketeering, including a troubling instance involving a federal agency that allegedly allocated 189 job slots to a single geopolitical zone over a two-year period. He described the situation as a gross abuse of the federal character framework and a clear threat to fair and inclusive governance.
“This not only violates due process and equity but also crushes hope and trust in our institutions,” he stated.
To address the problem, Dr. Aliyu proposed the creation of a joint technical task force to monitor recruitment patterns across MDAs, investigate violations of the federal character principle, prevent backdoor appointments, and advise on policy reforms that would promote fairness and equity in public employment.
“The goal is to fashion out sustainable solutions to the criminality associated with public sector job distribution, such as scams, favouritism, and abuse of office,” he said.
He also disclosed that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is already in development and is expected to be finalized within two weeks. Once concluded, the MoU will provide the legal framework for the joint task force to commence operations.
Dr. Aliyu, referencing Articles 5 and 36 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), underscored the global importance of institutional synergy in anti-corruption efforts. “This joint effort can serve as a national model where equity and integrity work hand-in-hand to rebuild public confidence in governance,” he added.
In his response, the Acting Chairman of the FCC, Hon. Kayode Oladele, hailed the initiative as a “pioneering step” toward improving transparency and accountability in the application of the federal character principle.
“This is the first time our two agencies are coming together to critically examine the fairness and transparency of the federal character framework,” Hon. Oladele stated.
He reiterated that the mandate of the FCC goes beyond recruitment into public service, to also include the equitable distribution of social and economic infrastructure across all tiers of government. He welcomed the collaboration and assured the ICPC of the FCC’s full cooperation in the implementation of the joint task team’s objectives.
“We are pleased with this initiative and fully committed to supporting it to ensure justice, equity, and national unity are truly upheld,” he concluded.
