NCC Appoints Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of DBI Governing Board

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 evolving demands of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the Commission, which said the move aligns with its broader strategy to transform the Institute into a leading centre for digital skills development, innovation, research, and policy advancement.

Princess 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. They will work with the President/Chief Executive Officer of DBI, Mr. David Daser, and other board members whose tenures remain valid.

Established by the NCC in May 2004, the Digital Bridge Institute was created as a specialised centre for telecommunications and information technology training. According to the Commission, the rapid evolution of technology and the expansion of the telecommunications sector into a broader digital economy have necessitated a strategic transformation of the Institute.

The NCC noted that communications infrastructure and digital technologies now play a critical role in national development, making the training of skilled professionals a key priority for Nigeria’s economic growth and technological advancement.

The Commission also highlighted the importance of youth empowerment in the transformation agenda, noting that about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30. It stated that the repositioning of DBI aims to equip young Nigerians with advanced technical skills and bridge existing capability gaps that hinder technology adoption across the communications sector and the wider digital economy.

As part of its new direction, the Institute will focus on five strategic areas: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, as well as Emerging Policy and Regulation.

The NCC disclosed that the transformation strategy 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 (NASENI).

The Commission expressed confidence that the new interim leadership would provide the guidance required to reposition the Digital Bridge Institute as a critical driver of digital capacity development and innovation in Nigeria.