President Tinubu Appoints Idris Olorunnimbe as Chairman of NCC

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a significant step in shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital and telecommunications landscape by appointing Idris Olorunnimbe as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This announcement was made public alongside the official constitution of the boards for both the NCC and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF). These appointments fall under the oversight of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, a ministry that has increasingly become central to the country’s efforts to build a modern, inclusive, and digitally-driven economy.

For those familiar with Nigeria’s public service and entrepreneurial scene, Idris Olorunnimbe is not a new name. He has made notable contributions in both government and the private sector. Most recently, he served as a board member of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee. In that role, he played a vital part in designing and supporting youth-focused initiatives aimed at employment generation and entrepreneurship development. Thousands of small and medium-sized businesses in Lagos benefitted from the programmes and policies introduced under his guidance. This experience positions him well to bring a fresh, dynamic approach to the NCC at a time when the telecommunications sector is more critical than ever.

As the Chairman of the NCC, Olorunnimbe is now charged with the responsibility of steering one of Nigeria’s most vital regulatory bodies. The telecommunications sector, which the NCC oversees, contributes over 13 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It is also a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. From internet penetration to mobile services and the expansion of digital infrastructure, the policies and decisions made at the NCC have far-reaching implications for businesses, consumers, and the broader economy. Olorunnimbe’s leadership is expected to help accelerate efforts aimed at deepening broadband access, improving service quality, and supporting innovation in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving tech space.

In this new role, Olorunnimbe will be working closely with Dr. Aminu Maida, the current Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. Dr. Maida was appointed to his role by President Tinubu in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month. The partnership between Olorunnimbe and Maida will likely shape the direction of telecom regulation in the country over the next few years, especially as Nigeria looks to compete globally in areas like fintech, digital services, and remote work infrastructure.

Alongside Olorunnimbe’s appointment, the President also approved a full slate of members for the newly reconstituted NCC Board. Among those named are Abraham Oshidami, who will serve as Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, and Rimini Makama, who takes on the role of Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management. Additional board members include Hajia Maryam Bayi, a former Director of Human Capital and Administration, retired military officer Colonel Abdulwahab Lawal, Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, and Princess Oforitsenere Emiko. Each of these individuals brings diverse experience and expertise to the board, and their collective efforts will be instrumental in strengthening the regulatory framework that guides Nigeria’s telecom sector.

Interestingly, Olorunnimbe is also set to take on another important leadership role as the Vice Chairman of the Universal Service Provision Fund Board. The USPF, which was created to help bring ICT access to underserved and rural communities across Nigeria, operates with the broader goal of ensuring digital inclusion. At a time when much of the world is moving towards greater reliance on digital technologies for education, healthcare, commerce, and governance, ensuring that all Nigerians have access to ICT is more than just a policy goal—it’s a necessity for national development and social equity.

The USPF Board will be chaired by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. With Dr. Tijani’s deep background in innovation and Olorunnimbe’s track record in youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, the leadership of the USPF appears well-equipped to push forward ambitious goals for universal ICT access.

The USPF’s mandate is particularly critical now. It was established by the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic background, can access affordable and reliable telecommunications services. The idea is not just to provide access but to use ICT as a tool for empowerment, education, and economic development. This includes specific efforts aimed at reaching vulnerable populations, such as rural dwellers, low-income communities, and people living in difficult-to-reach parts of the country. By expanding access to telecommunications and digital services, the USPF aims to bridge the digital divide and unlock new opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

Some of the key objectives of the USPF include making sure all Nigerians can access basic ICT services, ensuring affordability, and creating initiatives that support the most vulnerable in society. The Fund also recognizes that technology access can be a powerful catalyst for economic development, especially in areas that have historically been neglected by mainstream infrastructure projects.

The timing of these appointments is particularly important. As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow rapidly, with more people coming online and more businesses relying on digital tools, the NCC and USPF will be central players in shaping how inclusive and effective that growth will be. Challenges such as poor service quality, limited infrastructure, and high costs remain persistent, but with a refreshed leadership team in place, there is renewed optimism that progress can be made.

In summary, the appointments of Idris Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the NCC and Vice Chairman of the USPF Board, along with the constitution of new board members across both institutions, mark an important step in advancing Nigeria’s digital future. The focus now will be on execution—translating policies into action, driving investment in infrastructure, and ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the digital age.