The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the Governing Board of the Digital Bridge Institute, DBI.
The appointment was approved by the NCC Board, which also named the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, and the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Ms. Rimini Makama, as interim members of the board.
The newly appointed interim leadership will work alongside the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Mr. David Daser, and other board members whose tenures remain valid to drive the transformation agenda of the institution.
Established by the NCC in May 2004, the Digital Bridge Institute was created as a specialised centre for training and capacity development in telecommunications and information technology.
However, with the rapid evolution of technology and the expansion of the telecommunications industry into a broader digital economy, the Commission said there is a growing need to reposition the Institute to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector.
According to the NCC, the transformation initiative is aimed at strengthening the Institute’s role in developing the skilled workforce required to support Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global technology landscape.
The Commission noted that communications infrastructure and digital technologies have become increasingly critical to national development, economic growth and technological sovereignty, making capacity building and specialised training more important than ever.
A key component of the repositioning strategy is the focus on Nigeria’s youthful population, with the Commission highlighting that approximately 70 per cent of Nigerians are under the age of 30.
The NCC said the renewed vision for DBI is designed to equip young Nigerians with advanced technical skills and competencies needed to thrive in the digital economy while addressing existing skills gaps that hinder technology adoption and innovation.
As part of the transformation programme, the Institute will focus on five strategic areas: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, as well as Emerging Policy and Regulation.
The Commission disclosed that the new strategic direction was developed through extensive consultations with key stakeholders across government and the education sector.
These engagements involved the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI.
The NCC expressed confidence that the new interim board will provide the leadership required to reposition the Digital Bridge Institute as a leading centre for digital skills development, innovation and research capable of supporting Nigeria’s ambitions in the communications and technology sectors.
