The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs has deepened its probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), uncovering wide regional and local government imbalances in staff distribution.
During a public hearing in Abuja, the committee chaired by Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) grilled PenCom officials over alleged violations of the Federal Character Principle following complaints from stakeholders about lopsided recruitment practices.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Publicity and Communications, Peter Oriri, Senator Onyesoh said the committee’s findings revealed serious concerns over fairness and inclusivity in the commission’s recruitment exercises.
Appearing before the panel, PenCom’s Director-General, Mrs. Omolola Oworonran, alongside other top officials, acknowledged that the current staffing pattern showed clear disparities, with some states and local government areas heavily represented while others were left behind.
Documents reviewed by the lawmakers indicated that PenCom’s last major recruitment in 2021 produced noticeable imbalances. Delta State, for instance, reportedly has 16 staff members, six of whom hail from a single local government area. Ebonyi has six employees, four from one LGA; Edo, 12 with five from one LGA; and Gombe, 19 with 11 from one LGA.
Senator Onyesoh urged that future employment drives be structured to ensure fair representation across all local government areas rather than merely balancing at the state or regional level.
He criticised the interference of other government agencies that, he said, frustrate transparency in recruitment.
“Each time there is a recruitment exercise, the process is often sabotaged by other government bodies like the IPPIS, Office of the Head of Service, Office of the Accountant General, and even the Federal Character Commission, who all demand their own quota. This practice must stop,” Onyesoh stated.
Other committee members echoed similar concerns. Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) said none of the ministries, departments, or agencies reviewed so far had fully complied with the Federal Character guidelines.
He warned that future appointments made in breach of these rules could be reviewed and possibly nullified.
Senator Amos Yohanna (Adamawa North) expressed dismay at PenCom’s recruitment record, describing it as “the worst” the committee had encountered. He demanded urgent corrective measures.
In her response, Mrs. Oworonran said PenCom had identified underrepresented states such as Rivers and Jigawa and pledged that qualified candidates from those areas would be prioritised in future recruitment rounds.
She also promised to maintain open communication with the Senate Committee in subsequent exercises.