On October 23, the Nigerian Senate officially approved Idris Olorunnimbe as the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Board of Commissioners, alongside eight other appointees. This endorsement, following President Bola Tinubu’s nominations in August, marks the restoration of a complete leadership team at Nigeria’s premier telecommunications regulatory body after more than a year of functioning with a partial board.
The newly confirmed commissioners include Abraham Oshidami as Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Maryam Bayi, Col. Abdulwahab Lawal (Retired), Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the Board Secretary.
This appointment concludes a leadership gap that emerged after the previous board, chaired by Adeolu Akande, completed its tenure in 2023 during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. During this interim, the NCC operated without a full governance structure, a situation many analysts believe hindered its capacity to effectively oversee policy amid Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Additionally, the Senate’s approval finalizes the reconstitution of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Board, led by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, with Olorunnimbe appointed as Vice Chairman. This action ensures compliance with Section 5(3) of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which requires the Commission to maintain a fully constituted Board of Commissioners at all times.
Reinstating Effective Governance at the NCC
The fresh leadership lineup sets the stage for renewed stability and strategic clarity at the NCC. Idris Olorunnimbe takes on the role of Chairman, while Aminu Maida has been reappointed as Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), providing continuity in the regulator’s executive management. Together, they oversee Nigeria’s telecommunications industry valued at approximately $75 billion, during a pivotal period of digital transformation and regulatory evolution.
The governance framework, as outlined in the NCA 2003, distinctly separates policy oversight from operational management. The Board of Commissioners is responsible for setting strategic direction and policy, while the executive team manages daily regulatory functions such as licensing, enforcement, and spectrum administration. This division is designed to protect the NCC’s autonomy, minimize political interference, and uphold accountability to the Nigerian populace.
Within this structure, the Chairman serves a non-executive role focused on policy guidance, steering board discussions, and ensuring alignment with national priorities. Conversely, the EVC leads the operational side, managing departments including Licensing, Spectrum Management, Consumer Affairs, and Technical Standards.
The non-executive Commissioners, though less visible publicly, play a crucial role. They bring expertise from various sectors such as telecommunications, finance, law, and public policy, representing both industry and public interests. Their presence helps maintain transparency, balance competing priorities, and prevent undue influence or bureaucratic stagnation.
Introducing the Newly Appointed Board Members
Abraham Oshadami, appointed as Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, is a veteran telecommunications engineer and regulator with over 20 years of experience in spectrum management, network design, and technical policy development at the NCC. He has been instrumental in driving Nigeria’s broadband growth and optimizing spectrum utilization.
Rimini Makama, serving as Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, brings a strong background in public policy, corporate communications, and digital inclusion. Her previous roles in technology sector public affairs equip her to effectively bridge communication between regulators, industry players, and consumers.
Maryam Bayi is an expert in corporate governance and human capital development, with leadership experience spanning both public and private sectors. Known for her advocacy in institutional reform and strategic workforce planning, she returns to the board after retiring from the NCC in 2019 following over two decades of service.
Col. Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd) is a retired military officer with expertise in communications and national security. Prior to this appointment, he chaired the Kwara State Education Trust Fund (KwaraETF), bringing a wealth of experience in regulatory compliance and governance.
Senator Lekan Mustafa, a former legislator representing Ogun-East Senatorial District, offers valuable insight into public administration and legislative processes, enhancing the board’s understanding of policy intersections with digital regulation.
Chris Okorie is a technology entrepreneur and strategist with a legal background, actively engaged in ICT ventures focused on connectivity, digital commerce, and fostering innovation among youth.
Oforitsenere Emiko is a business leader and advocate for women’s empowerment in technology. She has spearheaded initiatives promoting digital literacy and inclusion, and previously served as Managing Director of Kian Smith Company, a mining trading firm in Nigeria.
A Leadership Shift Focused on Reform
Idris Olorunnimbe’s elevation to Chairman has ignited conversations about the Tinubu administration’s vision for telecom regulation. As the founder and Group CEO of The Temple Company, a global creative agency based in Lagos, Olorunnimbe brings a wealth of experience in leadership and strategic communications. His appointment is widely interpreted as a commitment to revitalizing the NCC with dynamic oversight and reform-driven governance.
There is considerable anticipation that Olorunnimbe will prioritize policy innovation, digital inclusion, and enhanced stakeholder collaboration. His tenure will be challenged by critical issues such as balancing national security with privacy rights, facilitating the nationwide rollout of 5G technology, and expanding broadband access to underserved communities.
Meanwhile, Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida continues to spearhead the NCC’s modernization agenda, including initiatives aimed at improving spectrum efficiency, consumer protection, and data-centric regulation. Under his leadership, the Commission has advanced evidence-based policymaking, exemplified by the release of quarterly telecom performance reports and strengthened partnerships with industry stakeholders on 5G deployment, Right-of-Way harmonization, and service quality standards. The full reconstitution of the Board is expected to bolster his ability to implement these reforms through clearer governance support.
The Importance of a Fully Functional Board
The NCC’s success hinges on the effective collaboration between its Board and executive management. While the Board charts strategic direction, the EVC drives operational execution, and the directorates deliver tangible outcomes. This multi-tiered governance model ensures independence, transparency, and alignment with Nigeria’s national ICT policy goals.
Financially, the NCC operates as a self-funded entity, generating revenue from licensing fees, spectrum auctions, and regulatory charges, all managed through an independent budget sanctioned by the National Assembly. Despite its autonomy, the NCC maintains close cooperation with agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to foster the growth of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
With a fully empowered Commission, investor confidence is expected to rise, regulatory oversight will strengthen, and Nigeria’s ambitions for widespread broadband connectivity and digital inclusion will accelerate.
As the new board settles into its roles, the telecommunications sector-which contributes nearly 16% to Nigeria’s GDP-will be closely monitoring the NCC’s performance. The restoration of a complete board signals the potential for a more coherent and proactive regulatory environment, capable of addressing emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, and infrastructure sharing.