NCC and the Task Before the New Helmsman

Raheem Akingbolu who feels the pulse of subscribers and stakeholders in the telco industry sets agenda for the new Executive Vice-chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida.

Perhaps because of the importance of communication to everyday’s activities, Nigerians are always eager to know the happenings in the Nigerian Telecommunication Commission, the industry regulator.

Since two months ago, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Dr. Aminu Maida as the new Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), among many new appointees under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, stakeholders in the industry have engaged in debate on what the new helmsman is bringing to the table.

Like some of President Tinubu’s appointees, manning strategic agencies and parastatals, the announcement of Maida as EVC at NCC excited stakeholders in the nation’s telecoms space.

For industry watchers, the challenges before this Commission, saddled with the task of regulating the supply of telecommunications services and facilities, promoting competition, and setting performance standards for telephone services in Nigeria, are huge. And, not a few believe it will require a steel-hearted to effectively put an end to those hindrances to the growth of the sector, and drive the affairs of this Commission for the much-needed growth.
Poor network connectivity, especially in the nation’s rural areas; poor internet penetration, or even insufficient service to make good calls, in some parts of the country, have been identified as some of the challenges that have continued to inhibit the growth of the industry, and the nation’s economy. These and many others are factors militating against the industry, and which must be handled fast, these industry watchers and subscribers have argued!

For instance, Emmanuel Ezinma, a Lagos-based telephone subscriber, would have relocated from Lagos, to his hometown in Imo State, especially after he had secured his first foreign job as a front-end developer. But when he remembers the poor internet service he deals with anytime he travels home, he’ll rather stay back.
While Ezinma believes the government does not have to provide him with a job, since he already has one, and he is not looking for any empowerment, in whatever guise, he however believes a working government should be able to make available, an unwavering internet penetration, preferably with multiple provider options, in his village.

Interestingly, he is not alone in this need. In a matter of days, many Nigerians will be going home for the Yuletide, but key of their concerns is how the internet in those areas will be able to serve their interests; since it is common to stay out of touch with friends and family for days, because of the poor network connectivity in those areas. Some will even have to travel as far as the next village in search of network to do a little WhatsApp chat, or view some reels on IG.

Another subscriber, Lekan Armstrong, believes whoever becomes the helmsman of the Commission remains key to the nation’s economic growth. The present government\s hope of achieving rapid development in rural areas, create jobs and enable digital economy, will remain an illusion, without it first getting rural areas developed by enhancing internet penetration in those areas, and ensuring sufficient service to make good calls.

Dr BosunTijjani, the Minister, Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, had stated clearly in an interview on a national television station that the NCC is shifting focus from “Quality of Service” to wholesale “Quality of Experience”, with focus on consumer experience with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), not just the service rendered.

According to Tijjani, the goal is to at least double the number of kilometres of fiber optic cables in Nigeria within the next 3 years, which he believes will help in no small way to deliver the targeted data download speed of 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas by the end of 2025, and deepen broadband penetration to 70% and reach the underserved areas.
In simple terms, the NCC will focus on ensuring effective broadband infrastructure diffusion across the length and breadth of Nigeria, translating into affordable and reliable broadband services.

Interestingly, Dr Maida has shown that he has a clear understanding of the task before him.
“Considering the fact that many people are going more digital and virtual in everything they do, the telecom infrastructure is now under much stress. President Tinubu’s vision emphasises the need to build more robust broadband connectivity that will not only facilitate seamless digital transactions but also serve as the bedrock for e-governance and other socio-economic initiatives.

“As such, we would align with this aspiration to increase broadband penetration to 70 per cent and to cover 90 per cent of the population by 2025. Therefore, we need to build a reliable telecom industry,” he said.

But does his credential suggest someone well-equipped to deliver on this promise? Or is it another issue of much talk, less work?

Many believe Maida has what it takes to build on the achievements of his predecessors, and turn the nation’s telecoms space around. In his most recent role as Executive Director, Tech & Ops, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS), he oversaw a $30m+ digital transformation at NIBSS to modernise the platforms by taking advantage of Cloud technologies, APIs 1st approach and adopting an Agile/DevOps culture. Since 2019 he joined the NIBSS, he also developed strategies that stabilised the space and built confidence, while maximising yields for shareholders.

He also worked as Chief Technology Officer, ARCA Payments prior to that, and in addition to managing people and resources, was part of the team that successfully fundraised $7m. Maida also worked for foreign companies like Cisco Systems UK and British Telecoms UK, UbiquiSys Ltd UK, EE Ltd UK.

The new NCC’s helmsman has, as a highly accomplished technology executive, consistently demonstrated his expertise in leading cutting-edge innovations, managing cross-functional teams, and driving growth for businesses in competitive markets.

As a result, he has earned a reputation for being a forward-thinking leader with a keen eye for spotting industry trends and implementing groundbreaking solutions.
All of these point to the fact that if there will be any obstacle to achieving these goals, it will never be one of competence. There is hardly any task before Maida now that he has not already achieved.
Interestingly, with President Tinubu and the presiding minister, Dr Tijani assuring of their commitments to the goal, Maida surely has some strong pillars to lean on, and, as a result, stakeholders’ expectation of reform and turn-around of the sector by the new helmsman, may not be misplaced after-all.