The House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters has rejected the 2026 budget allocation to the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), describing the envelope provided by the Ministry of Budget and Planning as inadequate.
The committee said the proposed allocation falls short of what is required for the commission to effectively meet public expectations in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. It therefore urged the Budget Office of the Federation to review the figures to reflect the FCSC’s actual needs.
Chairman of the committee, Sani Umar Bala, made this position known on Thursday during the 2026 budget defence session with the FCSC Chairman, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, in Abuja.
Bala noted that the proposed N2.6 billion allocation, including N1.24 billion for personnel costs, would not be sufficient for the commission to discharge its core functions such as recruitment, promotion, disciplinary control and handling of staff appeals.
He recalled that the FCSC is a constitutional body established under Section 153 and Part I(D) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, with powers covering appointments, promotions and discipline in the federal civil service.
The committee lamented that persistent underfunding has hampered the commission’s ability to perform effectively. It cited challenges such as tackling fake appointments, strengthening internal control systems through technology, and fully implementing the 2024 recruitment waiver, all of which lack adequate financial backing.
Bala also expressed concern that insufficient funding has limited the FCSC’s oversight over agencies to which it delegated powers, leading to alleged abuses in recruitment and rising personnel costs.
He added that poor funding has affected the commission’s ability to meet legal and international obligations, including preparations to host the 2026 general assembly and biennial conference of the Association of African Public Service Commissions.
Earlier, Olaopa explained that the proposed budget would cover personnel, overhead and capital expenditures, including the digitisation of recruitment processes aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in the commission’s operations.
