By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on equitable recruitment, promotion and staff deployment, with a focus on ensuring fair representation of Nigerians from all parts of the country while maintaining professional standards.
The commitment followed an interactive session between the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation, chaired by Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, and FAAN management at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Eze, the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State, emphasised the need for federal institutions to uphold equal employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians, stressing that national inclusivity must complement merit and operational efficiency.
“Fairness is not a substitute for merit, and merit should not become an excuse for exclusion. Our goal is a workforce that is both professionally excellent and nationally representative,” he said.
The committee chairman explained that the engagement was convened to review FAAN’s compliance with Federal Character requirements, identify challenges and establish practical measures to improve cooperation between the commission and the aviation authority.
He urged FAAN to demonstrate its commitment to equitable representation beyond maintaining compliance records, noting that a workforce reflecting Nigeria’s diversity would strengthen public confidence and promote national development.
Eze expressed optimism that the meeting would produce measurable commitments and reinforce the constitutional responsibility of federal institutions to ensure fair representation in public appointments.
Responding, FAAN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to the Federal Character principle but noted that recruitment and staff deployment must also meet the technical and professional requirements of the aviation industry.
She disclosed that FAAN’s annual promotion exercises involved consultations with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Salaries and Wages Commission.
Onabanjo-Kuku said that, to the best of her knowledge, FAAN had not received any formal communication from the FCC alleging non-compliance with the principle. She added that the authority would welcome further clarification on the procedures for notifying the commission of recruitment and promotion exercises.
The managing director explained that aviation operations required strict adherence to international standards, including those established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which guide personnel qualifications and operational requirements.
According to her, FAAN manages 22 airports and provides management services for about six others on behalf of state governments and private-sector interests, making effective staff deployment essential to maintaining operational efficiency.
She noted that passenger traffic and operational demands varied across airports, requiring personnel allocation to reflect the needs and functions of individual facilities. Aviation security and fire and rescue services, she added, were among the areas requiring additional personnel, with recruitment into specialised roles subject to age, medical fitness and physical capability requirements.
Onabanjo-Kuku assured the commission that FAAN would continue to balance aviation safety and operational demands with its obligation to promote equitable representation in line with Federal Character guidelines.
In a related development, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, assured FAAN of the commission’s readiness to foster a cordial and productive relationship with federal agencies to improve compliance.
Omidiran gave the assurance when the FAAN managing director paid her a courtesy visit after the interactive session. She said the commission was adopting a more streamlined approach to compliance monitoring through direct engagement with heads of government institutions.
According to her, the approach was designed to clarify compliance requirements, strengthen accountability and encourage institutional leaders to take personal responsibility for implementing the Federal Character principle.
The engagement highlighted the shared commitment of the FCC and FAAN to promoting equitable representation and professional competence in public service employment while preserving the specialised standards required for safe and efficient aviation operations.
