On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointment of two executive commissioners for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), following a request by President Bola Tinubu. Rimini Haraya Makama was confirmed as the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholders Management, and Sunday Abraham Oshadami as the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services.
This confirmation came after the Senate’s Committee on Communications, which had screened the nominees, presented its recommendations during the plenary session. The report, delivered by Senator Aliyu Bilbis (Zamfara Central), noted that both nominees met the necessary criteria for their respective appointments. Subsequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a voice vote, and the appointments were approved by the lawmakers.
In related news, the NCC has temporarily suspended the issuance of new licenses in three categories: Mobile Virtual Network Operator Licence, Interconnect Exchange Licence, and Value Added Service Aggregator Licence. This decision, announced via the NCC’s X handle by Reuben Muoka, the Director of the Public Affairs Department, aims to facilitate a comprehensive review of market saturation, competition levels, and current market dynamics.
The suspension, enacted under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, does not affect pending applications, which will continue to be considered on their merits.
