The newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has expressed his commitment to realign the regulatory focus of the Commission in pursuit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which seeks to propel the nation’s digital transformation initiatives.
Dr. Maida conveyed this during his address to the Senior Management team of the Commission at its Head Office in Abuja. He emphasized the need for the NCC to strategically prioritize the universal accessibility of affordable and reliable broadband services, a vital element in advancing the digital landscape across Nigeria.
The newly-appointed telecom regulator also acknowledged the substantial contributions of former chief executives of the Commission in fostering a robust telecommunications industry. Dr. Maida outlined his key priorities, which include enhancing the quality of service on telecommunications networks, and aligning with the vision of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy.
“Given the increasing shift towards digital and virtual practices, our telecom infrastructure is under mounting pressure. President Tinubu’s vision underscores the necessity to build a resilient broadband network that not only facilitates seamless digital transactions but also serves as the foundation for e-governance and other socio-economic endeavors,” he stated.
“In this context, we will work towards increasing broadband penetration to 70 percent and reaching 90 percent of the population by 2025. Achieving these goals necessitates a reliable telecom industry with impressive Quality of Service (QoS) indicators, with the Quality of Experience (QoE) as our guiding principle and ultimate objective. Addressing challenges such as Right of Way (RoW) and ensuring the security of our telecom infrastructure is crucial. We must enhance service delivery and establish a performance-driven NCC,” Dr. Maida affirmed.
He underlined the clarity of President Tinubu’s agenda, which focuses on job creation and enabling the digital economy. Dr. Maida emphasized that all NCC initiatives must align directly with the Strategic Plan of the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and ultimately with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. Deviation from this strategic direction is not acceptable.
Dr. Maida also highlighted the Minister’s plan to empower three million Nigerians in digital skills and entrepreneurship, which necessitates the Commission’s support for the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) as a key institution for digital training to contribute to the government’s youth empowerment initiatives.
Effective spectrum management and utilization were also underscored by the EVC as critical elements in facilitating the envisioned digital connectivity agenda, essential for providing services to Nigerians and businesses across the country.
Dr. Maida expressed his gratitude to his predecessors and the entire NCC staff for their contributions to digital transformation and urged the staff to work together with a clear sense of purpose in achieving the objectives of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which recognizes the pivotal role of a thriving digital economy in achieving sustainable development and an improved quality of life for all citizens.
