Senate confirms Aminu Maida as Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of NCC

*The Nigerian Senate affirms the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the new Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, having passed all security clearance coupled with his possession of requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence and regulatory capacity to further ensure success of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Senate has affirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the new Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The Senate confirmation of Dr. Maida’s appointment Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Abuja, FCT, followed the presentation and adoption of a report of the Committee on Communications by the Chairman Sen. Bilbis Ikra at the Committee of the Whole, agency report said.

While presenting the report to the Committee, Sen. Ikra urged the Senate to consider the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confirmation of Maida for appointment as the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission.

The Federal lawmaker also noted that the President’s request was in accordance with Section 8 (1) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Establishment Act, 2003.

According to Ikra, the Senate Committee had screened Dr. Maida, and the new NCC Chief passed all security clearance, and he possesses the requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence and regulatory capacity to further ensure success of the NCC.

Urging the Senate to approve the nomination, the Upper Legislative (Red) Chamber thereafter confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida, as Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Commission.

The Senate subsequently, proceeded to confirm the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida, through a voice vote to serve a five-year term of office, subject to renewal by the Nigerian President.

It was learnt Dr. Maida earlier at his screening by the Senate Committee, had responded to questions relating to his insights into the industry, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the telecoms regulatory sector.

He was variously described by the Committee’s members as a round peg in a round hole.

Maida on Broadband infrastructure, Quality of Service and QoE in telecoms ecosystem 

Maida was said to have told the Committee that his top priorities are to improve coverage and connectivity by bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through increased Broadband infrastructure as well as increasing the Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) for the telecoms consumers to enable them to get value for money.

The EVC/CEO of the Commission further stated that, under his stewardship, he would ensure that the NCC’s licensees numbering over 8,000 across different segments of the sector, are made to adhere strictly to their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with their consumers in terms of excellent service delivery.

He assured that he would create a more conducive environment for investment in the sector.

Maida as well pledged to work with the dynamic team at the NCC to “re-think” how the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) would be better leveraged to bridge the extant digital divide in the country.

Maida disclosed that he would prioritise inter-agency collaboration towards achieving the current blueprint for the digital economy sector.

According to him, the ongoing review of the NCA 2003 would lead to greater innovation for improving the performance of the sector and solicited the support of the National Assembly to succeed.

Maida further emphasised his commitment towards aligning regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, developed to accelerate the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.