FCC pushes for fairer development distribution, seeks stronger budget ministry collaboration
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called for closer cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to improve equitable distribution of infrastructure, social amenities, and development projects across the country.
She made the appeal during a courtesy visit by an FCC delegation to the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Omidiran also requested stronger institutional support, particularly improved funding, to enable the Commission to effectively carry out its constitutional responsibilities.
During the engagement, Omidiran disclosed that the FCC is developing a new policy tool known as the Infrastructure Balancing Index (IBI). According to her, the index is intended to strengthen monitoring and assessment of how federal projects and socio-economic amenities are distributed across the federation.
She explained that the proposed framework would complement the existing Character Balancing Index, which is used to guide equitable representation in public service appointments.
While the Character Balancing Index focuses on fairness in recruitment and appointments, she said the Infrastructure Balancing Index would provide a more structured way of evaluating the spread of physical development and public amenities across regions, with the goal of reducing disparities in access to national resources.
Responding, Uzoka-Anite reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to inclusive economic growth through the Renewed Hope Development Plan. She noted that the strategy emphasizes a bottom-up approach aimed at stimulating economic activity from the ward level upward.
She further revealed that the ministry is conducting a nationwide survey and mapping exercise of all wards in preparation for the National Development Plan (2026–2033), which is designed to improve data-driven planning and targeted development interventions.
The minister explained that the Renewed Hope framework is focused on identifying local resources, skills, and comparative advantages in each community to drive grassroots economic empowerment and sustainable national growth.
Both the FCC and the ministry reaffirmed their commitment to deeper collaboration in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with an emphasis on ensuring fair access to infrastructure, opportunities, and socio-economic development across Nigeria.
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