By JESSICA DOGO

The Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Ms Princess Emiko as Interim Chairman of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI).

The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

Ukoha said the appointment aligned with the Commission’s plan to reposition the Institute for the next phase of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.

According to her, Emiko will serve alongside the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Ms Rimini Makama.

“The interim leadership will work alongside the President, Mr David Daser, and remaining board members whose tenures are yet to expire.

“They will drive the Institute’s transformation and strengthen its role in supporting the communications sector,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DBI was established by the NCC in May 2004 as a specialised centre for telecommunications and information technology training.

Ukoha said: “In the past two decades, the sector has evolved from telecommunications into a broad and fast-moving digital economy.

“Technology now advances rapidly, creating a growing demand for continuous specialised training and capacity development.”

She said communications infrastructure had become a matter of national importance, requiring strong oversight and sustained investment.

“Securing and advancing the future of communications and the digital economy is now a clear national and economic priority,” she said.

Ukoha added that the transformation programme would focus strongly on Nigeria’s youthful population.

“With about 70 per cent of Nigerians under 30, the DBI transformation is designed to empower young people.

“It will equip them with advanced technical skills and bridge capability gaps that slow technology adoption across the communications sector,” Ukoha said.

She said the repositioned Institute would concentrate on education and training, research and development, innovation, economic growth, and emerging policy and regulation.

She said: “The strategy was developed through engagements beyond the NCC and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

“Consultations also involved the Ministry of Education, TETFund, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and NASENI.” (NAN)

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