NCC Reconstitutes DBI Board, Names Emiko Interim Chairman

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the Governing Board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in a move aimed at repositioning the institute to better serve Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.

The appointment, announced by the Commission’s Board, is intended to strengthen DBI’s capacity to respond to ongoing transformations in the communications sector and the increasing demands of the digital ecosystem.

In the same development, the NCC also appointed Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, and Ms Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, as interim members of the board.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday, June 8, by the Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.

The appointees are expected to work with the President/Chief Executive Officer of DBI, David Daser, alongside other existing board members whose tenures remain valid.

Established in May 2004 by the NCC, the Digital Bridge Institute was initially created as a specialised training centre for telecommunications and information technology. However, the Commission noted that the sector has since expanded into a broader digital economy, requiring continuous skills development and enhanced technical expertise.

The NCC said the repositioning reflects the growing strategic importance of communications infrastructure to national development and economic sovereignty.

It also emphasised the need to equip Nigeria’s large youth population, noting that about 70 percent of Nigerians are under the age of 30, making skills development a key priority in its transformation agenda.

According to the Commission, the institute’s renewed focus will be anchored on five priority areas: education and training, research and development, innovation, economic growth and impact, and emerging policy and regulation.

It added that the framework was developed following consultations with key stakeholders, including 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).

The NCC further stated that the initiative is designed to align DBI’s mandate with current technological realities and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy.