The Nigerian Senate, during its plenary session in Abuja on Thursday, confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the substantive Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Maida’s confirmation came after the Senate adopted a report from the Senate Committee on Communications, which had screened him on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, the Chairman of the Committee, submitted the report, emphasizing that Maida had passed all security scrutiny by relevant agencies in the security governance sector.
Senator Bilbis assured the Senate that Maida possesses the necessary qualifications, professional experience, competence, and regulatory capacity to ensure the accelerated development of the nation’s telecommunications sector.
He urged the Senate to approve Maida’s nomination by President Bola Tinubu.
Consequently, the Senate confirmed Dr. Aminu Maida through a voice vote, appointing him to serve a five-year term in office, subject to renewal by the President.
During his screening, Maida addressed various questions related to his insights into the industry, qualifications, experience, suitability, and competence to manage the nation’s telecom regulatory sector.
Described by members as the “round peg in a round hole,” Maida outlined his top priorities, including improving coverage and connectivity, bridging access gaps between rural and urban communities, and enhancing the quality of service for consumers.
Maida pledged to ensure that the Commission’s licensees adhere strictly to their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with consumers and create a more conducive environment for investment in the sector.
He also expressed his commitment to collaborate with other agencies, align regulatory activities with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, and contribute to the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.