The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called for closer collaboration between the Commission and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to promote the equitable distribution of infrastructure, socio-economic amenities and development projects across Nigeria.
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 on Tuesday.
She also sought increased budgetary support to enable the Commission effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
According to a statement by FCC Spokesperson, Ademola Lawrence, the Commission is developing an Infrastructure Balancing Index, IBI, a strategic framework designed to strengthen its oversight role in ensuring fairness and inclusiveness in the allocation of development projects and public amenities nationwide.
Omidiran explained that the proposed index would serve as a monitoring tool for assessing the spread of infrastructure, social amenities and government interventions across the federation, with the aim of promoting balanced development and reducing regional disparities.
“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,” she said.
The FCC chairman noted that the initiative would complement the existing Character Balancing Index, which guides equitable representation and recruitment in 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.
Responding, Uzoka-Anite reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to economic transformation through the Renewed Hope Development Plan, which adopts a grassroots-driven approach to stimulate growth from the ward level to the national stage.
The minister disclosed that the ministry is currently conducting a nationwide survey and mapping exercise covering all wards in the country 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,” she said.
Both institutions expressed readiness to deepen collaboration in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda and to advance the shared goal of ensuring equitable access to opportunities, infrastructure and socio-economic benefits for all Nigerians.
