The Nigerian Senate, during its plenary session in Abuja, confirmed Dr. Aminu Maida as the substantive Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Maida’s confirmation came after the Senate adopted a report from the Senate Committee on Communications, which had screened Maida on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications and a former Minister of Communications, submitted the report and urged the Senate to consider President Bola Tinubu’s request for Maida’s confirmation as the country’s Chief Telecom Regulator.
He emphasized that Maida had successfully passed all security screenings by relevant agencies in the security governance sector and possesses the requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity necessary for the accelerated development of the nation’s telecommunications sector.
Following Bilbis’ submission, the Senate proceeded to confirm Dr. Aminu Maida through a voice vote to serve a five-year term in office, subject to renewal by the President.
During his screening by the Senate Committee, Maida addressed inquiries concerning his industry insights, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to oversee the nation’s telecom regulatory sector. Members described him as the right fit for the role.
Maida outlined his top priorities, focusing on enhancing coverage and connectivity, bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through increased broadband infrastructure, and improving service quality to ensure consumers receive value for money.
He pledged to enforce Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between the Commission’s licensees, numbering over 8,000 across various sector segments, and their consumers, and create a conducive investment environment.
Additionally, Maida promised to collaborate with other agencies to advance the digital economy, emphasizing the ongoing review of the NCA 2003 to stimulate sector performance. He sought the National Assembly’s support for his initiatives.
Highlighting his commitment to aligning regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Maida aimed to accelerate the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.