By Dele Ogbodo
The news of the appointment of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC/CEO, of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, into the International Institute of Communications (IIC) Board of Directors, has been greeted with buzz and excitement across different stakeholders in Nigeria’s communications landscape.
The implication of Maida’ trajectory into international boardroom interplay and space is therefore seen as Nigeria’s expanding voice, relevance and a boost in global telecommunications and digital innovations convergence.
Globally acclaimed as a platform for leaders in telecommunications, IIC remains a media and technology platform that coalesces collaboration on regulatory framework and emerging technologies such as big data, IoTS, AI and several others.
Founded over 50 years ago, IIC’s envision a world where ICT and wider digital ecosytems are primed for a positive driver of fair progress for people, the environment economy and socio-cultural genre, and is therefore committed especially in supporting developing countries up their regulatory framework, competitiveness visavis policymakers find their rhythm in a sustainable economic development.
Excited at the appointment, Maida, said: “It is honour to serve on the board of IIC, I look forward to sharing insights from Nigeria’s transformative journey and collaborating on strategies to foster a more inclusive and sustainable telecoms industry.”
The NCC boss, one of Nigeria’s youngest to occupy that position since assumption of office last year has no doubt proved his mettle as an industry expert following an inclusive stakeholder’s collaboration which has resulted in significant contributions to small-cell technology and digital payments infrastructure in Nigeria.
Maida’s industry knowhow has positioned him to effectively influence discussions on global telecommunication space.
Recap…that before his present appointment as EVC, NCC he was the Executive Director, Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) where he oversaw the operation of the entire payments infrastructure of Nigeria.
He is currently and deeply engaged in driving initiatives that seek to enhance seamless connectivity and robust competiveness in the Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Educated at the Imperial College, London, where he obtained an MSC in System Engineering and later a Ph.D from the University of Bath in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
His nomination by President Bola Tinubu as EVC was confirmed in November 2023 by the National Assembly.