Breaking: Senate Greenlights New NCC Tech Regulator
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Dr. Aminu Maida as the new Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, succeeding Professor Umar Garba Danbatta. Dr. Maida outlined ambitious plans to enhance broadband penetration to 90% by 2025, improve service quality, and foster investment in the telecom sector. His five-year tenure will focus on bridging digital divides and strengthening regulatory adherence.
The Nigerian Senate in Abuja on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the substantive Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This confirmation follows his nomination by President Bola Tinubu last month, a move that was part of a broader reshuffle affecting three agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, which included the prior sack of former EVC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.
Dr. Maida's confirmation occurred during a plenary session where the Senate adopted a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Communications. This committee, chaired by Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, a former Minister of Communications, had screened Dr. Maida on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Senator Bilbis urged the Senate to approve President Tinubu's request, affirming that the Committee had thoroughly screened Dr. Maida, who had also passed all necessary scrutiny by relevant security agencies. Bilbis highlighted Dr. Maida's requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity to drive the accelerated development of the nation’s telecommunications sector.
Subsequently, the Senate proceeded to confirm Dr. Aminu Maida's appointment through a voice vote. He is set to serve a five-year term, which is subject to renewal by the President. During his screening by the Senate Committee, Dr. Maida provided comprehensive insights into the industry, addressing questions about his qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the country’s telecom regulatory sector. Committee members widely lauded him as the ideal candidate for the role.
Dr. Maida outlined his top priorities under his stewardship. These include a strong commitment to improving coverage and connectivity by bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through enhanced broadband infrastructure. He also aims to significantly increase the quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) for consumers, ensuring they receive value for money. Furthermore, he pledged to ensure that the Commission’s over 8,000 licensees across various segments of the sector strictly adhere to their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with consumers regarding service delivery.
Other key initiatives Dr. Maida promised include fostering a more conducive environment for investment in the telecommunications sector. He also committed to working with the NCC team to