The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against violating approved recruitment procedures and the Federal Character Principle, saying offenders risk prosecution and other legal sanctions.

The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Hulayat Omidiran, gave the warning during a press briefing on new recruitment reforms for the Federal Public Service.

According to a statement signed by the FCC Spokesperson, Ademola Lawrence, the Commission said MDAs that fail to comply with constitutional recruitment guidelines would face sanctions under the Federal Character Commission Establishment Act.

Omidiran said the Commission would no longer tolerate irregular recruitment practices that undermine fairness, transparency and equitable representation in the public service.

She explained that under the new directives, recruitment exercises involving more than 125 vacancies must be advertised in at least two national newspapers and on the Commission’s official website for a minimum of six weeks.

The Commission also directed MDAs to notify the FCC at least two weeks before advertising vacancies and invite its officials to monitor recruitment interviews.

The FCC further warned against charging applicants recruitment fees or outsourcing public service recruitment to private consulting firms outside approved government institutions.

The issue of violations of recruitment procedures has been a concern to the Commission for a long time.