NCC names Emiko as Acting Chair of Digital Bridge Institute board

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has named Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as the Acting Chair of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). This decision is part of the NCC's plan to reshape the Institute for the future of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.

The NCC announced the appointment on Monday. Nnenna Ukoha, the Director of Public Affairs at NCC, signed the statement.

Alongside Emiko, Mr Abraham Oshadami, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, and Ms Rimini Makama, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, will join as interim board members. They will work with the President/CEO, Mr David Daser, and other board members whose terms are still active to drive changes at the Institute.

DBI was set up by the NCC in May 2004. It was created as a center for training in telecommunications and information technology. Over the last two decades, the sector has expanded from telecommunications to a wide and rapidly changing digital economy.

The digital economy now moves so fast that it requires ongoing specialized training. Communications infrastructure is also critical for national security and oversight. Ensuring a bright future for communications and the digital economy is now a key goal for the nation.

This future also depends on Nigeria’s young people. With 70 percent of Nigerians below 30 years old, the changes at DBI aim to empower youth. The goal is to give them advanced technical skills and close the skills gap that is slowing down technology use in the communications sector and the broader digital economy.

The revamped Institute will focus on five areas: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, and Emerging Policy and Regulation.

The strategy for this transformation has involved talks with various groups. These include the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).