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 institute to meet the evolving demands of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.
The appointment forms part of a broader strategy by the NCC to transform the institute into a leading centre for digital skills development, research, innovation, and policy advancement in support of national economic growth and technological development.
According to a statement issued by the Commission, Emiko will serve alongside Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, who have been appointed as interim board members. The interim leadership will work with the President and Chief Executive Officer of DBI, Mr. David Daser, and other board members whose tenures remain valid to drive the institute’s transformation agenda.
Established by the NCC in May 2004, DBI was created as a specialised training institution for telecommunications and information technology professionals. However, the Commission noted that the rapid evolution of the sector into a dynamic digital economy now requires continuous specialised training, advanced technical expertise, and stronger capacity development frameworks.
The NCC stated that the repositioning of DBI is particularly significant given Nigeria’s youthful population, with about 70 per cent of citizens under the age of 30. The transformation is expected to equip young Nigerians with advanced digital and technical skills, bridge existing capability gaps, and accelerate technology adoption across the communications sector and the wider economy.
As part of its new strategic direction, the institute will focus on five key areas: education and training, research and development, innovation, economic impact and growth, as well as emerging policy and regulation.
The Commission further disclosed that the transformation strategy was developed through consultations involving key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.
The NCC expressed confidence that the new interim board will provide the leadership required to reposition DBI as a strategic institution for developing the human capital necessary to sustain Nigeria’s digital transformation and strengthen the country’s position in the global digital economy.
