The Board of 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 to meet the evolving demands of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.
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 interim leadership team will work with the President/Chief Executive Officer of DBI, Mr. David Daser, and other board members whose tenures remain valid to drive the Institute’s ongoing transformation and strategic realignment.
Established by the NCC in May 2004, the Digital Bridge Institute was conceived as a specialised centre for training and capacity development in telecommunications and information technology. However, the rapid evolution of the sector into a broader digital economy has created new demands for advanced skills, continuous learning, innovation, and regulatory expertise.
The Commission noted that the communications sector has become increasingly critical to national development, with digital infrastructure now playing a central role in economic growth, national competitiveness, and technological sovereignty.
The transformation of DBI is also aimed at harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population. With approximately 70 per cent of Nigerians under the age of 30, the Institute is expected to play a pivotal role in equipping young people with advanced digital and technical skills while addressing workforce capability gaps that hinder technology adoption and innovation.
Under the new strategic direction, DBI will focus on five key pillars: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, as well as Emerging Policy and Regulation.
According to the NCC, the transformation agenda has been developed through extensive stakeholder engagement involving not only the Commission and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, but also key institutions such as 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 Commission said the initiative is designed to position DBI as a leading centre for digital skills development, research, innovation, and policy thought leadership, capable of supporting Nigeria’s ambitions in the rapidly expanding global digital economy.