Stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry have outlined key priorities for the newly constituted board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), urging the leadership to urgently address declining service quality, amend the outdated 2003 Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), strengthen local content, and foster innovation to keep pace with global digital transformation.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe, founder of The Temple Company, as chairman of the NCC board. Other nominees awaiting Senate confirmation include Abraham Oshidami (Executive Commissioner, Technical Services), Rimini Makama (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management), Maryam Bayi (former Director, Human Capital & Administration), and Col. Abdulwahab Lawal (rtd). Also nominated are Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, alongside the NCC Board Secretary.
Industry experts say the new board must “hit the ground running” to tackle pressing regulatory and operational issues that threaten the telecom sector, which contributes over 14% to Nigeria’s GDP and is central to the federal government’s digital economy agenda.
Speaking on behalf of telecom operators, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), commended the appointments, describing Olorunnimbe as a man of excellence and commitment.
Adebayo urged the board to consolidate recent gains under Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, particularly in network expansion and service quality.
“With the new board in place, we expect improved policy direction, strengthened investor confidence, and faster progress in broadband penetration, infrastructure security, and innovation,” he said.
He also emphasized that protecting critical telecom infrastructure and promoting local content should be part of the board’s short-term agenda.
Tony Ojobo, a former Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, warned that the industry is at a “critical juncture” due to prolonged absence of a governing board.
Ojobo stressed that the amendment of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 is overdue, as it no longer addresses emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G expansion, and technology convergence.
He also called for a holistic review of service quality, a staff performance audit, and a stakeholders’ summit to directly address industry challenges.
“The new board must avoid the ‘psychic prison syndrome’ where past regulatory decisions limit innovation.
NCC has a global reputation for professionalism, and that legacy must be sustained through progressive policies,” Ojobo cautioned.
Subscribers Call for Inclusivity
Telecom subscribers, under the Association of Telecom, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria), welcomed the new chairman but urged him to prioritize consumer protection and inclusivity.
ATCIS President stressed that major policy decisions must involve subscribers to ensure grassroots representation.
He also called for stronger collaboration with communities to curb vandalism of telecom infrastructure, praising President Tinubu’s Executive Order that criminalizes such acts.
“Subscribers must feel a sense of ownership of telecom infrastructure.
Without grassroots buy-in, protecting these assets will remain difficult,” he noted.
Olorunnimbe’s appointment comes with added responsibility.
The Presidency confirmed that he will also serve as Vice Chairman of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) board, which supports digital inclusion in underserved areas.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted Olorunnimbe’s previous contributions to youth empowerment at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), expressing confidence that he will drive impactful reforms in the telecom space.
With the Senate expected to fast-track confirmation, analysts believe the new NCC board will play a decisive role in positioning Nigeria’s telecom industry for sustainable growth, ensuring it remains a driver of digital economy expansion, financial inclusion, and national development.
As Ojobo summed it up: “The industry is in an emergency state, and urgent intervention is critical. Time is not on the side of this board.”