Federal Commissioner, Bawa-Allah pushes for stricter federal character compliance
The Commissioner representing Lagos State at the Federal Character Commission, Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah has called for a tighter compliance with the constitutional principles guiding federal appointments and resource distribution.
He insisted that Lagos indigenes must get a fair share of federal jobs and infrastructure located within the state, adding that the Federal Character is about equity, fairness and justice.
He spoke at the Lagos State office of the Commission on Monday, marking his new tenure.
He pledged to work with the Commission’s Chairman, Hulayat Omidiran, and other stakeholders to strengthen the institution, which President Bola Tinubu had described during inauguration as the “conscience of the nation.” “Much more is achievable when we work together. A more united Nigeria is possible through equity, fairness and justice,” he said.
Bawa-Allah, who was reappointed and inaugurated on January 22, 2026, alongside other commissioners by Tinubu, said his renewed mandate would focus on correcting what he described as the marginalisation of Lagos indigenes in federal establishments operating within the state.
“There will not be fairness if someone can benefit from another state and still come to take the slot meant for a bona fide Lagosian.
Lagos Indigenes ‘Underrepresented’ in Federal Agencies.
The commissioner revealed that when he assumed office during his first tenure in 2020, Lagos indigenes accounted for only about 10 per cent of junior-level positions (levels one to six) in federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
“It was shocking that in federal agencies located in Lagos, indigenous representation at the lower cadre was about 10 per cent, whereas ordinarily it should be between 65 and 75 per cent,” he said.
