Leading the Charge in Nigeria’s Telecom Revolution
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), continues to steer Nigeria’s telecommunications sector with a clear vision and purposeful leadership.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on October 11, 2023, and confirmed by the Senate on November 16, 2023, Maida combines his role as CEO with that of Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC Board.
A native of Katsina State, Dr. Maida’s academic foundation is impressive—earning an MSc in Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, followed by a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath. His early career included roles as a Systems Engineer at Ubiquisys (now part of Cisco) and later as a consultant with EE, an affiliate of British Telecom Group.
Before joining the NCC, he served as Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), where he oversaw the nation’s payment infrastructure. This experience in managing critical national systems provided a strong foundation for his transition to telecom regulation.
At the NCC, Dr. Maida has championed initiatives such as public inquiries into regulatory instruments to ensure transparency, accessibility, and competitiveness in the industry. His ambition is bold yet attainable: raising the telecom sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP from 14.58% to 25%. Under his watch, the Commission is driving innovation, expanding broadband, and reinforcing Nigeria’s place in the global digital economy.
Telecom Reforms under President Tinubu Seen as Catalyst for Second Term
Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has spotlighted the pivotal role of Nigeria’s telecom reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as transformative achievements that could define his administration—and even strengthen his re-election prospects.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Agbese commended the telecom sector’s advances as “a foundational shift” with tangible benefits for Nigerians amid broader economic challenges. He particularly praised the successful integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), an exercise that had stalled for years but was completed within Tinubu’s first year in office.
According to NCC data, over 153 million SIMs are now linked to NINs, streamlining Nigeria’s mobile database and enhancing national security. Broadband penetration has also seen consistent growth since 2023, a development Agbese described as “a major leap in expanding digital access for millions.
Agbese noted that beyond statistics, these reforms are improving everyday life—enhancing security, connectivity, and access to digital services. He argued that such progress presents a compelling case for Nigerians to view Tinubu’s leadership as a success story worth extending.
Nigeria’s Mobile Sector Rebounds in August, Driven by Airtel and MTN
After a July downturn that saw over one million subscriptions lost, Nigeria’s mobile telecom sector bounced back in August, recording 171.3 million active subscriptions. The recovery was spearheaded by Airtel and MTN, whose competitive offerings and network expansion strategies fueled subscriber growth.
NCC Market Data Reports show MTN retaining market leadership with a 52.31% share, followed by Airtel at 33.89%. Globacom and T2 (formerly 9mobile) hold 12.21% and 1.59% respectively.
In net additions, MTN gained nearly 500,000 subscribers, bringing its total to 89.6 million. Airtel outpaced rivals with 1.5 million new users, boosting its base to 58 million. Airtel’s gains are attributed to competitive pricing and aggressive rollouts in data-demanding urban areas, while MTN’s resilience underscores its dominance.
The rebound underscores the sector’s dynamism, where pricing, coverage, and customer experience remain decisive factors in subscriber loyalty and growth.
Telecommunications Industry Ireland Appoints New Leadership
Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII), the representative body for Ireland’s electronic communications sector, has announced a new leadership team. Nicola Cooke has been appointed Director, while Elaine Carey, CEO of Three Ireland, assumes the role of Chair of the TII Council.
Cooke, a former journalist and PR consultant, brings experience from leadership roles in corporate communications at National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Bus Éireann. Carey, with a track record as Chief Commercial Officer for Three in both Ireland and the UK before becoming CEO of Three Ireland, brings deep industry expertise to her new role.
TII’s membership spans broadband, broadcasting, cable, fixed, mobile, satellite, and wireless internet providers, as well as tower companies, network providers, and equipment manufacturers. Key members include Three, Vodafone, Sky, Eir, and Virgin Media. With Cooke and Carey at the helm, TII is positioned to strengthen advocacy and innovation in Ireland’s fast-evolving telecom landscape.
