FCC Seeks Partnership with Budget Ministry on Infrastructure Equity Initiative
Oru Leonard
Abuja, June 17, 2026 — The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has intensified efforts to promote equitable national development, seeking closer collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on a proposed Infrastructure Balancing Index aimed at ensuring fair distribution of development projects and socio-economic amenities across Nigeria.
The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, made the appeal during a courtesy visit by an FCC delegation to the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, in Abuja.
Omidiran said the Commission was developing an Infrastructure Balancing Index (IBI) as a strategic framework to monitor and assess the spread of infrastructural facilities, social amenities and development projects nationwide in line with its constitutional mandate.
According to her, the initiative would strengthen transparency and accountability in the allocation of public infrastructure while helping to ensure that no region or community is left behind in national development efforts.
“The Commission is developing an Infrastructure Balancing Index that will serve as a strategic tool for monitoring the distribution of infrastructural facilities, social amenities and development projects across the country. Our objective is to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and balanced access to government interventions in every part of Nigeria,” Omidiran said.
She explained that the new framework would complement the existing Character Balancing Index, which guides equitable representation and recruitment within public institutions.
“While the Character Balancing Index focuses on fair representation in public service appointments, the Infrastructure Balancing Index will provide an objective mechanism for assessing the spread of infrastructural facilities and socio-economic amenities across the country. This will help ensure that no community or region is left behind in the distribution of national resources and development opportunities,” she added.
The FCC chairman also sought enhanced budgetary support for the Commission to enable it effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
Responding, Dr. Uzoka-Anite reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to inclusive economic development through the Renewed Hope Development Plan, which adopts a grassroots-driven approach to economic growth.
She disclosed that the ministry was currently conducting a nationwide survey and mapping exercise of all wards as part of preparations for the National Development Plan (2026–2033).
“The Renewed Hope Development Plan is designed to unlock economic opportunities at the grassroots by identifying and harnessing the unique resources, talents and comparative advantages of every ward across the country. Sustainable national development must begin from the grassroots and grow upwards through targeted interventions and economic empowerment,” the minister said.
Both institutions expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of equitable distribution of opportunities, infrastructure and socio-economic benefits across the federation.
Speaking on the significance of the engagement, FCC spokesperson Ademola Lawrence said the proposed partnership underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that development outcomes are balanced and inclusive.
“The Infrastructure Balancing Index is a major innovation that will provide empirical data for measuring the spread of development projects and social amenities across the country. Through strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Commission aims to advance fairness, national cohesion and inclusive development in line with its constitutional mandate,” Lawrence said.
