The Senate has officially 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 took place during the Senate’s plenary session on Thursday, following the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Communications, which screened Maida on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications and former Minister of Communications, presented the report and urged the Senate to consider President Bola Tinubu’s request for Maida’s confirmation as the nation’s Chief Telecom Regulator. Bilbis assured the Senate that Maida had undergone rigorous scrutiny by relevant security agencies in the sector.
During his screening, Maida addressed questions related to his industry insights, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the nation’s telecom regulatory sector. The committee members praised him as the “round peg in a round hole.”
Maida outlined his top priorities, emphasizing the improvement of coverage and connectivity by bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities through increased broadband infrastructure. He committed to enhancing the quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) for consumers, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) by the Commission’s licensees, and creating a conducive environment for sector investment.
Additionally, Maida pledged to collaborate with other agencies, rethink the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) for better utilization in narrowing the digital divide, and work towards the ongoing review of the NCA 2003 to foster innovation and sector performance. He sought the support of the National Assembly in achieving these goals. The Senate confirmed Maida through a voice vote, and he is set to serve a five-year term, subject to renewal by the President.
