The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), marking a strategic move to reposition the institute for the evolving demands of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The appointment, announced in a statement by the NCC on Monday, forms part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at aligning the institute with emerging technological realities and supporting Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion digital economy.
Princess Emiko succeeds Rt. Hon. Olusegun Bolanle Gbeleyi and will serve alongside Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, who have also been appointed as interim board members.
The newly constituted leadership team will work with DBI President and Chief Executive Officer David Daser and existing board members whose tenures remain active to drive the institute’s next phase of transformation.
Repositioning DBI for a New Digital Era
Established by the NCC in May 2005, the Digital Bridge Institute was designed as a specialized centre for information and communications technology (ICT) and telecommunications training.
Over the last two decades, however, the communications industry has undergone significant transformation, driven by advancements in broadband infrastructure, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital services. The NCC believes these shifts require a renewed institutional focus.
According to the commission, communications infrastructure has evolved beyond a commercial necessity to become a strategic national asset, making advanced technical capacity development increasingly critical.
“Securing and advancing the future of communications and the digital economy is now a clear national and economic priority,” the commission stated.
The restructuring also comes at a pivotal moment for the telecommunications industry as stakeholders undertake the first major review of Nigeria’s communications policy framework in 26 years.
Closing Nigeria’s Digital Skills Gap
A key objective of the restructuring is strengthening Nigeria’s digital talent pipeline.
With approximately 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the NCC views the Digital Bridge Institute as a critical platform for equipping young Nigerians with advanced technology and telecommunications skills.
The institute has earned international recognition as an ICT Training Centre of Excellence by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), underscoring its role in developing technical expertise across the continent.
According to DBI, the institution has trained more than 250,000 Nigerians through over 100 industry-recognized courses. Its campuses and training centres are located across Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Yola, providing nationwide access to digital skills development.
NCC Unveils New Strategic Priorities for DBI
As part of its transformation agenda, the NCC has refined DBI’s mandate around five strategic pillars:
- Education and Training
- Research and Development
- Innovation
- Economic Impact and Growth
- Emerging Policy and Regulation
The commission noted that these priorities were developed through extensive consultations with key government stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The goal is to ensure that the institute’s programmes remain aligned with global technology trends while supporting national development objectives.
Supporting Nigeria’s Broadband Expansion Goals
The institute’s evolving role is already reflected in recent international collaborations.
Earlier this year, DBI partnered with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Union under the Global Gateway Initiative to train 31 participants from 10 African and European countries in fibre optic infrastructure deployment.
The initiative supports Nigeria’s ambitious broadband expansion programme, which aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide and extend connectivity to all 774 local government areas.
As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation agenda, the NCC’s restructuring of DBI signals a renewed commitment to building the technical workforce required to support future innovation, connectivity, and economic growth.
