The Senate, in its plenary session in Abuja today, November 16, 2023, confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the substantive executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The confirmation followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Communications, which had screened Maida on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The chairman of the committee and former Minister of Communications, Sen. Ikra Bilbis submitted the report and urged the Senate to consider President Bola Tinubu’s request for Maida’s confirmation.
During the screening, Bilbis informed the Senate that Maida had successfully passed all scrutiny by relevant security agencies in the security governance sector. He highlighted Maida’s qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity, recommending the Senate to approve his nomination.
In response to questions during the screening, Maida demonstrated his insights into the industry, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the nation’s telecom regulatory sector. Members of the committee described him as the right fit for the role.
Maida outlined his top priorities, focusing on improving coverage and connectivity by bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through increased broadband infrastructure. He emphasized enhancing the quality of service and experience for consumers and ensuring strict adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) by licensees in the sector.
The newly confirmed chief executive officer also pledged to create a more conducive environment for investment in the sector and work with the dynamic team at the NCC to leverage the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to bridge the digital divide. He expressed his commitment to inter-agency collaboration, aligning regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations & Digital Economy.
Maida promised to contribute to the ongoing review of the NCA 2003 to foster greater innovation in the sector, seeking the support of the National Assembly in achieving these objectives. He emphasised his dedication to aligning regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry, developed to accelerate the actualisation of the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the Federal Government.
With the Senate’s confirmation, Maida is set to serve a five-year term as the executive vice chairman of the NCC, subject to renewal by the President. This move reflects a decisive step toward ensuring effective leadership in Nigeria’s telecom regulatory sector.
