President Tinubu Appoints Idris Olorunnimbe As NCC Chairman, Reaffirms Dr. Aminu Waida As CEO.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Idris Olorunnimbe as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), a pivotal agency under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. Dr. Aminu Waida, who was appointed Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate in November of that year, will continue in his role, ensuring continuity in the commission’s leadership.
The announcement, made on Tuesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, also included the reconstitution of the NCC board with a diverse group of professionals. The new board members are Abraham Oshidami (Executive Commissioner, Technical Services), Rimini Makama (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management), Hajia Maryam Bayi (former Director, Human Capital & Administration), Colonel Abdulwahab Lawal (Retd), Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the Board Secretary. This composition reflects a blend of technical expertise, administrative experience, and political acumen aimed at strengthening the NCC’s regulatory oversight of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Olorunnimbe, a seasoned entrepreneur and administrator, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. As the Group CEO of The Temple Company, a multidisciplinary firm he founded in 2016, he has driven initiatives in education, entertainment, and sports. His prior tenure on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee, saw him spearhead impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes. His appointment is expected to enhance the NCC’s efforts to foster innovation and expand digital connectivity across Nigeria.
In a parallel move, President Tinubu approved the board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), chaired by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, with Olorunnimbe serving as Vice Chairman. The USPF, established to promote universal access to information and communication technologies in rural and underserved areas, will benefit from the inclusion of Oshidami, Makama, and other appointees such as Aliyu Edogi Aliyu, Joseph B. Faluyi, and Uzoma Dozie.
The appointments come at a critical time as Nigeria seeks to bolster its digital economy and improve telecommunications infrastructure. The NCC, responsible for regulating the country’s telecoms industry, has been pivotal in driving mobile penetration and broadband expansion. With Olorunnimbe’s leadership and Waida’s continued stewardship, the commission is poised to address challenges such as network coverage gaps and the implementation of 5G technology.
Stakeholders in the telecommunications sector have welcomed the appointments, citing Olorunnimbe’s track record in governance and innovation as a positive signal for the industry’s future. The reconstituted boards of the NCC and USPF are expected to align with President Tinubu’s vision of enhancing digital inclusion and economic growth through robust communication networks.