Tinubu makes key appointments in communication, innovation and digital economy sectors

Johnstone Kpilaakaa -

Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, has extended the tenure of Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi as director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Abdullahi has served in the role since August 2019.

Vincent Olatunji was also retained as the national commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB). Olatunji joined NITDA in 2002 and has worked in various departments thereby rising to the position of director in 2014 and Acting Director General in 2016. 

Prior to his appointment in February 2022 as the NDPB’s pioneer National Commissioner of NDPB, he worked as the Director of eGovernment Development and Regulations at NITDA.

Unlike the NITDA DG and NDPB commissioner, President Tinubu removed the following from their roles: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s Umar Garba Danbatta; the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)’s Sunday Adepoju; and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT)’s Tukur Funtua.

Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu's spokesperson disclosed this on Wednesday while announcing the appointments of executives for agencies under the federal ministry of communications, innovation, and digital economy.

To replace Danbatta, Adepoju and Funtua, President Tinubu has appointed the following: Aminu Maida as CEO and deputy vice chairman of NCC; while Nkechi Egerton-Idehen is the new MD/CEO of NIGCOMSAT. Additionally, Tola Odeyemi has also been appointed as the new Postmaster General/CEO of NIPOST.

'In line with President Bola Tinubu’s determination to maximally leverage on Nigeria’s proven technological and digital economic prowess to reposition the nation’s economy toward greater financial inclusion," says Ngelale. "The President has approved the appointment of a new Special Adviser to the President."

Idris Alubankudi will advise the president on technology and digital economy.

According to Ngelale, the appointments will take effect immediately. "I look forward to collaborating with them all as we work together to drive the renewed hope agenda for the good of our people," Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's minister for communication, innovation and digital economy, said.