Open Letter to the Most Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

The Most Honourable Mohammed Idris, CFR,Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation,Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation,Abuja, Nigeria.

Date: April 13, 2026

Subject: Urgent Call for Rectification of Seniority Infractions and Irregular Appointments at Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna National Station

Your Most Honourable Excellency,I write as a loyal listener and concerned stakeholder of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna National Station (Radio Nigeria Kaduna), to draw your esteemed attention to a persistent pattern of disregard for merit, seniority, and established civil service rules in staff promotions and recruitments at the station. This systemic issue, evidenced through interactions with affected personnel, has engendered widespread demoralization among long-serving staff, eroded productivity, and undermined the Corporation’s operational integrity.The anomaly predates recent administrations but crystallized in 2012.

During this period, recruitments and transfers contravened Federal Government Public Service Rules (PSR) 2021, Chapter 2, Rules 020105–020106, which mandate that seniority and promotions be determined by entry date, assumption of duty, and career progression as reflected in official registers, and that appointments derive authority from the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) or its delegated officers. Public advertisements of vacancies are obligatory under FCSC recruitment guidelines, yet “through-the-window” appointments—bypassing these procedures—elevated unqualified individuals to managerial cadres, conferring executive authority on those unfamiliar with FRCN’s internal dynamics and superseding senior officers with decades of meritorious service.

Particular instances meriting scrutiny include:Dahiru Mohammed, current Acting Zonal Director, North East Zone: Transferred from Bauchi State Television (BATV) and anomalously elevated to General Manager, Globe FM Bauchi, on Grade Level (GL) 14—exceeding the prescribed lower-grade placement for state-to-federal transfers under FCSC Regulations on Transfer of Service—thereby leapfrogging established FRCN seniors, in violation of PSR 020301 on inter-grade promotions.

Habibu Kila, current General Manager, Horizon FM Dutse: Appointed concurrently with Mr. Mohammed, notwithstanding availability of more seasoned officers, contravening PSR 020102 on merit-based appointments. Malam Garba Ubale Danbatta: A recent appointee with merely three years as a freelancer for Deutsche Welle (Hausa Service), elevated to GL 14 General Manager without the vacancy advertisement (breach of PSR 030402 and FRCN Act, Section B), presently aspiring to Kaduna Zonal Directorship over Deputy Directors possessing upwards of 25 years’ service.These practices, unprecedented in 15 years, offend the equity imperatives of Article 42 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ratified and domesticated via Cap. A9, LFN 2004), fostering perceptions of arbitrariness and nepotism.

Your Most Honourable Excellency, I commend your exemplary intervention, alongside that of the Director-General, FRCN, Dr. Mohammed Bulama, in the appointment of Malam Lawal Ali Garba as Acting Zonal Director, Kaduna, post the retirement of Haruna Idris.

This action exemplifies sensitivity to staff grievances and aligns with Section 88 of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Act Cap. F20 LFN 2004, which empowers the Minister to ensure regulatory compliance and fair governance within the Corporation.

In the interest of equity, I humbly urge the following measures:Constitute an independent administrative committee to audit stagnation cases exceeding five years, with authority to redress genuine infractions and recalibrate placements in line with PSR 020105–020106 on seniority and PSR 020301 on promotions.Prohibit lobbying for “self-acclaimed” seniority claims through statutory circulars, as per FCSC Circulars on Appointment and Promotion (AP&D Guidelines).Institute a comprehensive investigation into irregular promotions under PSR 020401 and enforce disciplinary actions via FCSC Disciplinary Procedures.Implementation of these recommendations will restore procedural fairness, mitigate disenchantment, bolster productivity, and entrench true seniority within FRCN. Absent intervention, the occupation of senior roles by unlawfully inducted personnel risks indiscipline, administrative discord, and long-term institutional decay under Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Section 14(2) on public service efficiency.I remain confident in your leadership to champion these reforms, safeguarding the public service ethos.

Yours faithfully, Gwandu Bashir Ma’aji55, Ali Akilu Road, Unguwar Rimi, Kaduna State Contact: bashiraaji@gmail.com +2348183131566