Tinubu appoints boards for NCC, USPF to drive digital inclusion, telecom sector growth

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of new boards for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), two critical agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as part of efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight and expand digital inclusion across Nigeria.

In the appointments announced on Tuesday, Idris Olorunnimbe was named Chairman of the NCC, while Dr. Aminu Maida retained his position as Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, a role he has held since October 2023 following Senate confirmation in November 2023.

Olorunnimbe, who previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board and chaired its Stakeholder and Governance Committee, is credited with driving impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes.

Other members of the NCC board include: Abraham Oshidami – Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Rimini Makama – Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Hajia Maryam Bayi – Former Director, Human Capital & Administration; Col. Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie; Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, Secretary of the Board.

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For the Universal Service Provision Fund, President Tinubu appointed Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as Chairman, with Idris Olorunnimbe serving as Vice Chairman.

Other members of the USPF board are: Abraham Oshidami; Rimini Makama; Aliyu Edogi Aliyu – Representative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; Joseph B. Faluyi – Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance; Auwal Mohammed – Representative of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning; Uzoma Dozie; Peter Bankole; Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon; Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, USPF Secretary

The USPF was established by the Federal Government to facilitate universal access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in rural, unserved, and underserved communities, thereby bridging Nigeria’s digital divide and supporting socio-economic development.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the reconstitution of the boards underscores the administration’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure and ensuring inclusive access to digital services nationwide.