Joel Ajayi
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, on Tuesday declared that the Commission must reposition itself as a more responsive, transparent and innovative institution capable of strengthening national cohesion and restoring public confidence through the effective implementation of the Federal Character Principle.
Hon. Omidiran made the declaration in her welcome address at the opening of the 2026 Executive and Management Leadership Retreat of the Federal Character Commission in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Ekiti State, themed: “Repositioning the Federal Character Commission for Institutional Renewal, Leadership Cohesion and National Relevance.” The retreat is being attended by former First Lady of Osun State and wife of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, as Special Guest.
Welcoming Honourable Commissioners, management staff and invited guests, the FCC Chairman described the retreat as a defining moment in the Commission’s evolution, stating that it provides a strategic platform to deepen collaboration between the Board and Management, strengthen institutional capacity and develop practical strategies for enhancing the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
“As the constitutional institution entrusted with promoting and enforcing the Federal Character Principle, our responsibility extends beyond regulatory oversight. We must continually strengthen our institutional capacity, uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and reposition the Commission to respond effectively to the evolving expectations of Nigerians. The outcome of this retreat must position the Commission for greater effectiveness, institutional renewal and national relevance,” Omidiran said.
Representing the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, welcomed participants to Ekiti and conveyed the governor’s strong support for the Commission’s efforts to reposition itself as a more effective institution for promoting equity, inclusion and national unity.
Delivering the Governor’s keynote address, Prof. Adubiaro said the retreat’s theme resonates with Nigeria’s aspiration for unity through fairness and equal opportunity, stressing that the Federal Character Commission remains indispensable to promoting balanced representation, social justice and national integration.
“The Federal Character Commission occupies a strategic position in nurturing national integration, promoting social justice and strengthening confidence in public institutions. At a time when Nigerians increasingly demand fairness, transparency and inclusiveness in governance, your work has never been more important. I urge participants to generate practical and innovative solutions that will further strengthen the Commission’s effectiveness, credibility and public impact,” the Governor stated.
The five-day retreat, holding from Tuesday, July 7 to Saturday, July 11, 2026, is led by Lead Facilitator, Mr. Olusade Adesola, retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, alongside Co-Lead Facilitator, Mr. Humphrey Ukah. Participants examined key issues including The Constitutional and Statutory Framework of the FCC as a Panacea for National Equity and Cohesion in Nigeria, as delivered by Hon. Pam Botmang, and Leadership, Public Trust and Institutional Renewal in Public Service for Restoring Public Confidence in National Institutions by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi.
The retreat also features case studies on successful institutional reforms, with Prof. Chris Kwaja of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, presenting lessons from Rwanda, while Mr. Idowu Bakare, Clerk of the National Assembly Committee on Federal Character, examines the United States model. The sessions are expected to produce practical recommendations for repositioning the Commission to deliver more effectively on its constitutional mandate and strengthen national cohesion.
