By Ismail Shuaib
ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu has overhauled the leadership of Nigeria’s Telecoms regulatory agencies, appointing new boards for the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC and the Universal Service Provision Fund USPF in a move aimed at boosting innovation and closing the country’s yawning digital gap.
Leading the shake-up is Idris Olorunnimbe, who takes over as Chairman of the NCC board.
Known for his work on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where he championed youth entrepreneurship and job creation, Olorunnimbe is expected to bring a private-sector edge to the regulator’s operations.
Dr. Aminu Maida retains his position as NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he assumed in October 2023.
Other NCC board members are Abraham Oshidami, Executive Commissioner (Technical Services); Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management); Hajia Maryam Bayi, former Director of Human Capital and Administration; Col. Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie; and Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, alongside the board secretary.
For the USPF – the federal fund tasked with extending ICT access to rural and underserved areas – Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has been named Chairman, with Olorunnimbe serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (Ministry of Communications), Joseph B. Faluyi (Ministry of Finance), Auwal Mohammed (Ministry of Budget and National Planning), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF Secretary.
The appointments come as Nigeria’s telecoms sector faces mounting pressure to expand broadband coverage beyond cities, cut service costs, and tackle infrastructure gaps.
With over 122 million internet users but rural connectivity still far from national targets, analysts say the shake-up could signal a more aggressive approach to bridging the digital divide.
