NCC Board Sets Bold Reform Agenda, Vows to Make Commission a Catalyst for Nigeria’s Digital Economy

The newly constituted Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set out an ambitious reform agenda, committing to transform the Commission from a regulator of legacy telecommunications into a catalyst for Nigeria’s digital economy.

Speaking at the Board’s induction in Uyo, the Chairman of the NCC, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, said the moment demands urgency, clarity of purpose, and decisive leadership as Nigeria navigates rapid technological change.

“The world has moved beyond connectivity as an end in itself. Connectivity is now the point of departure. The question before us is whether we merely regulate the telecoms of the past, or deliberately design the digital economy of the future,” he said.

Chief Olorunnimbe expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in the Board, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda has positioned the digital economy as a cornerstone of national development.

He also thanked the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, for nominating all members of the Board and for his forward looking reform leadership in the sector.

He further acknowledged Mr Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, for his strategic guidance in shaping Nigeria’s digital reform trajectory.

The retreat was facilitated by distinguished experts such as Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye who led a close review of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003) while Paul Usoro, SAN, shared reflections on effective board governance and oversight within a national telecommunications regulator.

Others include Prof. Hyacinth Nwana and Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN who did a deep-dive on the role of the regulator and the future of regulation as well as core corporate governance principles, respectively.

Reflecting on the NCC’s legacy, the Chairman noted that the Commission has played a central role in liberalising telecommunications, expanding mobile connectivity, and reshaping how Nigerians communicate, trade, learn, and create.

However, he stressed that the next phase must go further.

“The NCC of the future must do more than maintain stability. It must actively drive competitiveness, unlock investment, and enable innovation across the entire economy,” he said.

Leveraging on his private and public sector footprints in entrenching excellence, Chief Olorunnimbe outlined seven priority pillars for the emerging digital economy, including next generation networks, hyperscale data centres and cloud services, satellite and space technologies, digital identity and cybersecurity, green telecommunications, digital platforms governance, and universal access to connect the last 100 million Nigerians.

He emphasised that digital infrastructure is now economic infrastructure, powering sectors such as fintech, creative industries, agriculture, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and national security.

On governance, the Chairman affirmed the Board’s commitment to evidence based regulation, global benchmarking, ethical leadership, and decisions firmly anchored in the national interest.

He noted that while collaboration with industry stakeholders would guide the Commission’s approach, the rule of law would be upheld without fear or favour.

Commending the Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Commissioners, and the management team for maintaining institutional stability during the period without a full Board, Chief Olorunnimbe pledged a collaborative partnership to accelerate impact.

He also reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to staff welfare, capacity development, and enabling work conditions, describing NCC staff as the custodians of the Commission’s legacy and the engine of its future.

In a clear signal of ambition, the Chairman congratulated the Commission on being ranked among the top five best performing government agencies by PEBEC in 2025, placing fourth nationwide.

“Fourth place is only the beginning. We are builders. We are here to build. We are here to enable. We are here to attract investment. With this Board now fully in place, we are going for number one next year,” he said.

Chief Olorunnimbe concluded by calling for swift, achievable wins that demonstrate seriousness and momentum, adding that the Board’s tenure must not simply oversee the sector, but reshape Nigeria’s digital destiny and contribute to Africa’s technological ascent.