NCC Names Princess Emiko Interim Chair to Lead Digital Bridge Institute Reforms

The Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) as part of efforts to reposition the institution for the demands of Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha.

Also appointed to the interim board are Abraham Oshadami and Rimini Makama, who will serve as members alongside existing board officials whose tenures remain valid.

According to the Commission, the interim leadership will work closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, David Daser, to drive a new transformation agenda aimed at strengthening digital capacity development in the country.

Established by the NCC in 2004, the Digital Bridge Institute was created as a specialised centre for telecommunications and information technology training. However, the Commission noted that rapid changes in technology and the emergence of a broader digital economy have made it necessary to reposition the institution to meet new industry realities.

The NCC said communications infrastructure now plays a critical role in national development, making investments in digital skills and technical expertise increasingly important.

As part of the restructuring plan, the Institute is expected to focus on equipping young Nigerians with skills required to thrive in a technology-driven economy.

The Commission noted that with about 70 per cent of the country’s population below the age of 30, there is an urgent need to expand opportunities for specialised training capable of driving innovation and addressing skills shortages across the communications sector.

Under the new vision, the Digital Bridge Institute will concentrate on five strategic areas: education and training, research and development, innovation, economic growth and impact, as well as policy and regulatory development.

The transformation framework was developed through consultations with key stakeholders, including 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.

The NCC expressed confidence that the newly constituted interim board would provide the leadership needed to reposition the Institute as a leading hub for digital skills development, innovation and technology-driven growth in Nigeria.