Senate blows hot, to probe federal character violations by NNPC, NAFDAC, others

The Senate will on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, begin investigative hearings into the alleged abuse and poor implementation of the federal character principle by major government agencies.

The hearings, which will take place at the Equal Opportunities Hearing Room 211 in the Senate building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, is being organised by the Senate committee on federal character and inter-governmental affairs.

Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, senator representing Rivers east, chairs the committee.

The inquiry follows a motion moved in March by Osita Ngwu, senator representing Enugu West, which the Senate adopted unanimously.

The motion, titled Urgent Need to Address Systemic Abuse and Ineffective Implementation of the Federal Character Principle, decried widespread non-compliance with sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

Several federal agencies stand accused of showing “flagrant disregard” for federal character provisions meant to guarantee fair representation of Nigeria’s regions and groups in public appointments and infrastructural development.

Among the agencies named are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and its subsidiaries, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Others include the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

Also on the list are the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 6, Senator Onyesoh said formal invitations and document requests had been sent to all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) named.

He said the hearings would span several weeks and the committee would submit its findings to the Senate within three months.

The committee also called on members of the public to submit memoranda or relevant information either at the venue or via email to [email protected].

Onyesoh said the committee is committed to a transparent and inclusive process.