The Federal Government on Tuesday commissioned the official website of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), describing it as a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of equity, transparency and inclusive governance.
Unveiling Ceremony at Presidential Villa
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said the digital platform marks a significant step in strengthening the Commission’s role as a constitutional body responsible for promoting fairness and national cohesion.
Senator Akume noted that the FCC, established under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), plays a central role in ensuring equitable representation across Nigeria’s diverse federation. According to him, in a culturally plural and structurally complex country like Nigeria, fairness in representation is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative necessary for national unity, stability and trust in government.
“The principle of federal character remains critical to reinforcing citizens’ confidence that the Nigerian state belongs to all, irrespective of geography, ethnicity or creed,” Akume said. He stressed the need for the Commission to evolve in line with advances in technology, data management and rising public expectations for openness and accountability.
Website as a Governance Tool
Describing the website as more than a ceremonial achievement, the SGF urged the Commission to deploy it as a dynamic governance tool to deepen transparency, improve service delivery and strengthen accountability. He said the platform should function as a real-time interface between the Commission and Nigerians by providing accessible data, clear guidelines and measurable outcomes, while enabling efficient processing of certifications, compliance reports and public inquiries.
Akume also charged the FCC to adopt data-driven decision-making and publish compliance data in an open and verifiable manner to build public trust, while positioning itself as a credible repository of disaggregated data across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). On regulatory oversight, he urged the Commission to deploy digital tools for proactive and predictive governance capable of identifying imbalances and preventing systemic inequities.
He further emphasised the need to strengthen citizen engagement through user-friendly feedback mechanisms, complaint channels and public education resources, particularly for young people, civil society and the private sector. Commending the FCC leadership and its partners, Akume formally declared the website open, expressing confidence that it would strengthen the Commission’s mandate.
First Lady’s Remarks
In her keynote message, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Laila Bala Jibrin, described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening transparency, equity and inclusive governance. She said the platform reflects the Commission’s commitment to aligning with modern governance standards and adapting to the demands of the digital age.
According to her, the website will serve as a vital interface between the Commission and Nigerians by providing timely access to information, streamlining processes and enhancing citizen engagement. She added that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises innovation, digital transformation and inclusive governance. While urging the Commission to ensure the platform remains active, user-friendly and regularly updated, the First Lady called on Nigerians to utilise it constructively in engaging government institutions.
Speaker of the House’s Support
Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to digital governance, transparency and accountability. Represented by Hon. Idris Wase, Abbas said the initiative reflects a broader shift toward a “digital-first governance” approach aimed at improving lawmaking, oversight and citizen engagement. He noted that technology must no longer be treated as an afterthought in governance, stressing that digital innovation is essential for efficiency, inclusivity and national development.
“This is not just a digital upgrade; it is a strategic tool for institutional transformation that will enhance access to information and deepen public trust,” he said. The Speaker, however, cautioned that digital transformation must be sustained through regular updates, strong cybersecurity and continuous capacity building for personnel managing such systems.
FCC Chairman’s Remarks
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the FCC, HulayAt Motunrayo Omidiran, described the website as a major milestone in the Commission’s efforts to modernise its operations and align with global best practices. She said the platform would serve as a central, user-friendly hub for accessing information on the Commission’s policies, recruitment processes, compliance guidelines and official activities in real time.
Omidiran added that the initiative would enhance communication between the Commission, MDAs and the public, while promoting accountability and institutional integrity. “As an institution mandated to uphold fairness, equity and balanced representation, we must adapt to the evolving demands of governance in a digital age,” she said. She assured that the Commission would continue to improve the platform to enhance service delivery and deepen public trust.
The event attracted top government officials, heads of MDAs, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders.
