The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed strong commendation for the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, for his leadership in promoting initiatives that empower the younger generation with digital knowledge and skills, with a special focus on Nigerian girls.
Speaking during a guided tour of the National Communication Museum at the NCC headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, noted that the initiative aligns seamlessly with the Commission's digital literacy advocacy. The tour was conducted for 185 contestants participating in the 2026 National Girls in ICT (NG-ICT) Competition.
The contestants, selected by the Ministry from across Nigeria's geo-political zones, are competing to promote digital inclusion and inspire greater participation of girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
The visit to the Commission formed part of activities organized under the National Girls in ICT Programme, an initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in the technology sector. The programme equips young girls with digital skills, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to innovation.
Dr Maida, represented by the Director of the Research and Development Department, Babagana Digima, emphasized that the museum tour aimed to create a link between the old and new generations in Nigeria's telecommunications journey. It helps young people appreciate the sector's transformation from analogue systems to the current digital revolution.
During the study tour, NCC officials guided the students through exhibits and historical artefacts documenting key milestones in Nigeria's telecommunications history and the evolution of the communications sector. The EVC stressed that understanding the industry's history would inspire participants to contribute meaningfully to the future of digital innovation in Nigeria.
He noted that exposing young people to the history of technological advancement and innovation is essential for building a new generation of leaders for Nigeria's growing digital economy.
“The whole idea behind this is that we are looking at the younger generation. We want to show them what communication is all about. This place is a museum meant to preserve the history of what has gone before and to keep the artefacts, ensuring that people see the evolution from the postal system to telegraphy, from analogue systems to the digital era,” Maida said.
“This is essentially what we are showing them in the shortest amount of time and, of course, to excite the curiosity of the young ones. When they see what happened in the past and how it has progressed into the future, they can also take it up from here and think about what it will look like going forward. That is the whole essence of having them here,” he added.
During the tour, participants learned about generational trends in telecommunications development, dating back to 1886 when the colonial administration established the first communication facilities primarily to support administrative functions. They were also taken through the history of the country's early telegraph services, which linked Lagos to other parts of West Africa and Europe through submarine cable connections.
In a related development, the Board of the NCC has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). This move anchors the Commission's plan to reposition the Institute for the next era of Nigeria's communications sector and digital economy. She will be joined on the board by Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Ms Rimini Makama, who join as interim Board members. The interim leadership will work alongside the President/CEO, David Daser, and the remaining board members whose tenures are unexpired, to drive the institute's transformation.
