By Oriakhi Loveth Omosefe
Senate Faults NAICOM Over Unequal Representation in Workforce
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs has taken issue with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM),
over what it described as glaring disparities in its staffing structure,
particularly the underrepresentation of certain states.
During a hearing on Tuesday, the committee engaged with NAICOM’s management team,
led by Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Omosehin.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East), represented by Vice Chairman,
Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central), criticized the commission for failing to uphold the Federal Character principle in its recruitment process.
“It is unacceptable that in a nation as diverse as ours, states like Sokoto and Jigawa remain grossly underrepresented in your commission,” Plang said.
“The Federal Character principle is not optional. It is a constitutional mandate designed to promote fairness, equity, and inclusion across all federal institutions.”
Omosehin explained that NAICOM currently has 255 staff and noted that the most recent recruitment took place in 2020, before he assumed office in 2024.
He added that recent resignations and retirements have contributed to the imbalance.
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He also said all previous recruitment exercises were conducted with compliance certificates issued by the Federal Character Commission.
After deliberations, NAICOM’s leadership admitted that some states were indeed underrepresented.
Senator Plang warned the commission to correct the imbalance in subsequent hiring efforts.
He stressed that strict adherence to the Federal Character principle was vital to ensuring equal opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of region or ethnicity.
The Senate committee pledged to continue its oversight to ensure full compliance across all federal agencies.
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