The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as the Interim Chairman of the Governing Board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), signaling a renewed commitment to repositioning the Institute as a leading hub for digital skills development, innovation, and research in Nigeria’s evolving communications and digital economy landscape.
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. The newly constituted interim leadership will work closely with the President/Chief Executive Officer of DBI, Mr. David Daser, and other board members whose tenures remain valid, to implement strategic reforms aimed at transforming the Institute.
Established by the NCC in May 2004, the Digital Bridge Institute was conceived as a specialized centre for capacity building in telecommunications and information technology. Over the past two decades, however, the communications sector has undergone significant transformation, expanding beyond traditional telecommunications into a dynamic digital economy driven by emerging technologies, innovation, and digital infrastructure.
Recognizing these changes, the NCC is repositioning the Institute to meet the growing demand for advanced digital competencies and specialized technical expertise. The transformation initiative reflects the increasing importance of communications infrastructure as a critical national asset and underscores the need to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to compete effectively in the global digital economy.
A key focus of the reform agenda is youth empowerment. With approximately 70 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the revamped DBI is expected to play a strategic role in equipping young Nigerians with cutting-edge digital and technical skills, bridging existing knowledge gaps, and accelerating technology adoption across various sectors of the economy.
Under the new strategic direction, the Institute will concentrate on five core pillars: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, and Emerging Policy and Regulation. These focus areas are designed to support national development objectives while fostering a robust ecosystem for digital transformation and technological advancement.
The repositioning strategy has been developed through extensive stakeholder engagements involving key government institutions and agencies. Beyond the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, consultations have also been held with the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The reconstitution of the DBI Governing Board marks a significant milestone in the Commission’s broader vision of building a future-ready workforce and strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy through sustainable capacity development, innovation, and policy-driven growth.
