This is coming amid a lingering promotion exercise scandal and alleged mismanagement of the commission's funds. 

Some staff members of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have called on President Bola Tinubu to constitute a new board for the commission. 

This is coming amid a lingering promotion exercise scandal and alleged mismanagement of the commission's funds. 

The aggrieved staff believed that the board would check the excesses and irregularities of the executives and also curb corrupt practices within the commission.

Recall that the commission had been entangled in a crisis following the protest by some staff over a controversial promotion exercise.

SaharaReporters had earlier exposed how the March 2025 promotion exercise at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was marred by irregularities, with staff alleging that the process was tainted by favoritism, ethnic bias, and internal political maneuvering aimed at sidelining certain employees.

An internal memo titled “2025 Staff Promotion Exercise: All Levels” and exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that 239 staff members were promoted in the exercise.

Insiders accused the management of selectively promoting individuals without regard for merit or performance in the promotion exams, describing the process as a sham.

They further alleged rampant nepotism and cronyism, and called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to salvage what remains of the commission’s credibility.

Sources within the agency also disclosed that the promotions were carried out without board approval, ministerial consent, or presidential authorisation.

However, some staff told this medium that there is excitement among staff of the commission who do not only want the board management sacked, but want a total reform.

A concerned staff who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters due to fear of victimisation said they are not only clamouring for the sacking of the board, but for President Tinubu to speedily constitute a new board, appoint a new Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, appoint Executive Commissioners and non-executive commissioners so that a new management can start on a new slate. 

According to them, this has to be done quickly before things go out of hand at the commission. 

One of the staff said, “The president has just done this at the NNPC. The board that he sacked was put in place by him, but because the board was not acting in line with the renewed hope agenda of his administration, he sacked them. 

“We believe he can take the same action at the NCC considering its critical role in the digital economy. At this era of digital world, the Telecom industry should be given more attention. The government needs to keep a close watch.”

Another staff argued that the current management of the commission has proved incompetent, divisive and lacking in focus.

 “This runs contrary to  the vision of the industry. Staff of the NCC are looking forward to the kind of board the commission had in 2000, 2001 till 2010 chaired by the late Alhaji Ahmad Joda. He could not be influenced by politics or economic gratifications.

“The management then was apolitical and mostly focused on good leadership as against what we see today. In recent times, the board has been pocketed by the CEO and chasing contracts up and down. They do not have the moral authority to question the CEO in whatever he does.”

Speaking on staff solidarity despite the current controversy at the commission, another staff said, “Despite the divisiveness and plot to pitch staff against one another, there is this growing sense of solidarity among the staff. Even while they are not speaking in the office, many of us are using our personal connection to formally tender our concerns to people in government so they can step in before the commission is destroyed by some persons,” the staff said. 

The staff lamented that they are worried that what used to be one of the finest agencies of government is gradually sliding into obliteration. “For instance, as a staff, to be nominated to attend a conference, you must fight for it, you must try to worship someone. One of the patriotic things you need to do is to tell lies against your colleagues. This is not the NCC we were recruited into. Before now, staff can embark on an official trip without knowing or worshiping anyone. Today, things have changed and that’s why we fear we are on the path of destruction,” a staff said. 

Questioning the recently conducted promotional exercise, a staff said the process was done against regular process and clouded in secrecy. 

“What was the basis for the number of vacancies declared? It is illegal to act against a policy document signed by the president without presidential approval for acting outside the the limit of policy statement. 

“Also, for those in the directorate cadre, the rules of the exam were not clearly stated. For instance, what percentage of the score would be based on the written exam and what percentage would be based on the oral examination were never stated,” a staff said in protest. 

Nnena Ukoha, the Acting Head of Public Affairs had earlier dismissed the allegation of nepotism and favoritism, stating that the promotion exams was in no way controversial and that they were conducted for all cadres of staff eligible for promotion in the agency.

According to her, the exercise was motivated by “our commitment to integrity, fairness, and the needs of the industry for competent professionals to drive national objectives.”

“In line with the Public Service Rules, the Commission’s organizational structure and manpower plan, each cadre had a defined number of vacancies, representing the number of personnel the Commission could accommodate at each level,” Kalu said in a statement.

“Staff who did not meet the required cut-off, or who passed but for whom vacancies were no longer available at their cadre, could not be promoted. 

“Furthermore, the interview panels for staff were composed of credible management staff (drawn from each of the six (6) Geo-Political Zones), in addition to independent external members and representatives from the Federal Character Commission (FCC), who were present to provide oversight and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.”