The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has sounded the alarm over what it calls widespread violations of federal character requirements in staff recruitment and student admissions across federal universities.
Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, issued the warning in Abuja on Thursday, November 27, 2025, following an extensive oversight tour of federal universities in the South-West, including the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Fulata said the fact-finding mission revealed “a disturbing pattern” in which several institutions have abandoned the principles that were designed to guarantee fair representation of all states in the country.
According to him, federal character provisions are not optional and must guide both employment and admissions regardless of where a university is located.
He said, “We have observed that many universities are not complying with the federal character principles in the appointment and employment of workers, even in student admissions. The law is explicit: 2.7 per cent equity for each state, 1 per cent for the FCT, and 3 per cent for the host state. What we saw on the ground falls far short of this requirement.”
The lawmaker stressed that the committee’s oversight was not a probe targeted at any individual or institution but a constitutional responsibility aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within the university system.
Fulata also criticised what he described as “reckless financial choices” in some institutions.
He cited instances of questionable spending on travel, entertainment, and other non-essential items, even as basic academic and infrastructural needs remain unmet.
He warned against the concealment of figures, under-reported internally generated revenue, falsified financial records, and other irregularities uncovered during the visits.
Other institutions inspected by the committee include the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti; the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun; the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta; and the Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry.
Introduced in the late 1970s and cemented in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the federal character principle was intended to prevent regional dominance, ensure equitable access to public institutions, and promote national integration.
However, long-standing reports have shown that many universities continue to flout these provisions by favouring applicants and job seekers from host communities at the expense of others.
Catchment policies, though legally recognised, have often been stretched beyond their intended limits, leading to skewed admissions and persistent complaints from parents, civil society organisations, and legislators.
Fulata said the committee will compile its findings and make recommendations to the House aimed at restoring compliance, improving oversight, and reinforcing equity in Nigeria’s university system.
