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Digital Bridge Institute shifts focus to five strategic areas as Nigeria prepares 70% under-30 population for communications sector transformation.
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), The move anchors the Commission’s plan to reposition the Institute for the next era of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.
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According to a statement by the NCC signed by Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs, Emiko will be joined on the board by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management, who join as interim board members.
Mr. David Daser, the President/CEO, will be joined by the interim leadership in driving the Institute’s transformation. The remaining board members whose tenures are unexpired will also work alongside this team to achieve the repositioning goals.
A Two-Decade Evolution
Established by the NCC in May 2004, DBI was created as a specialised centre for training in telecommunications and information technology.
In the two decades since, the sector DBI serves has grown from telecommunications into a broad, fast-moving digital economy. Technology now advances quickly enough to demand continuous specialised training across the sector. Additionally, communications infrastructure has become a matter of national sovereignty and oversight.
Securing and advancing the future of communications and the digital economy is now a clear national and economic priority.
Empowering Nigeria’s Youth Population
That future also rests on Nigeria’s young population. Nigeria’s population is remarkably young, with 70 percent under the age of 30.
The ongoing transformation of DBI is intended to empower this demographic by providing them with advanced technical skills.
This initiative aims to close the capability gap that presently hinders technology adoption in the communications sector and the broader digital economy.
Five Strategic Focus Areas
The repositioned Institute will concentrate on five strategic areas:
- Education and Training
- Research and Development
- Innovation
- Economic Impact and Growth
- Emerging Policy and Regulation
Multi-Ministry Consultations Shaped the Strategy
The strategy has been shaped through engagements beyond the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Consultations included the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
