As President Bola Tinubu navigates the complex challenges facing Nigeria, it is understandable that his agenda is packed with numerous pressing issues. However, there is one matter that requires his immediate attention for the long-term growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector: the absence of a functional Board at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The NCC, Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, has been without a Board for over a year, a situation that is slowly driving the regulator and the entire telecommunications industry toward a crisis. According to the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, the President is responsible for appointing a Board consisting of a Chairman, an Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), two Executive Commissioners, and five non-executive Commissioners. This Board is crucial for steering the Commission’s activities, providing strategic direction, and acting as a safeguard against external pressures, including undue interference from higher authorities.
Currently, the absence of a Board is weakening the NCC’s capacity to perform its basic functions effectively. The consequences of this leadership void are severe. Without the collective experience and institutional memory that a fully constituted Board brings, the NCC is left vulnerable to poor decision-making and external manipulation. Industry insiders have expressed frustration, describing the previous Board as more focused on contracts than regulatory excellence, and pointing to the urgency of appointing a competent and knowledgeable team to guide the NCC out of its current malaise.
The Importance of the NCC Board
Historically, the NCC Board has played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. Under the leadership of figures like Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, the Commission was able to foster growth and stability in the sector. The Board provided the institutional knowledge necessary to ensure that the Commission operated independently, avoiding undue influence from political and economic actors.
However, in recent years, the situation at the NCC has deteriorated. The regulator became more susceptible to external pressures, particularly during the tenure of the last administration when the Board’s authority was undermined. The appointment of individuals without the requisite telecommunications experience further contributed to the Commission’s decline. Today, the situation is dire, with internal tensions, toxic workplace dynamics, and poor decision-making plaguing the institution.
Why This Matters Now
The telecommunications industry is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy and holds significant potential for growth. In a world increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, Nigeria cannot afford to have its telecommunications regulator in disarray. The absence of a properly constituted Board hampers the Commission’s ability to maintain regulatory standards, attract investment, and drive innovation in the sector.
President Tinubu must act swiftly to restore order at the NCC by appointing a competent and experienced Board. The President’s February 2023 appointments of two Executive Commissioners, Abraham Oshadami (Technical Services) and Rimini Makama (Stakeholder Management), are steps in the right direction, but they do not constitute a full Board. A complete Board is essential to restore the Commission’s ability to function effectively and to avoid the regulatory capture that occurred during the previous administration.
Conclusion
The absence of a fully constituted NCC Board is a critical issue that requires President Tinubu’s immediate attention. The telecommunications industry is too vital to Nigeria’s economic future to be allowed to drift without proper leadership. By appointing a Board that includes individuals with expertise in telecommunications, finance, and public administration, the President can ensure that the NCC is equipped to meet the challenges of regulating a fast-evolving industry.
In the face of multiple national challenges, addressing the NCC’s leadership crisis may seem like one task among many, but it is a task that has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economic growth and digital future. President Tinubu must act now to put the Commission back on track.