Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched its maiden Women in Leadership Programme aimed at empowering female professionals and strengthening leadership development across Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology sector.
The initiative, unveiled during an event in Abuja, is designed to provide mentorship opportunities for emerging female professionals by connecting them with experienced women leaders within the Commission and the broader telecommunications industry.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman of the NCC, highlighted the significant contributions women have made to the Commission, noting that they continue to excel in strategic leadership positions and play a vital role in driving the organisation’s success.
According to him, women currently head several critical departments within the Commission, including Legal Services, Information Technology, Procurement, Public Affairs, Consumer Affairs and Internal Audit, demonstrating both competence and effective leadership.
Dr Maida explained that the Women in Leadership Programme was conceived to inspire younger female professionals to aspire to senior management and executive positions by learning directly from accomplished women who have excelled in their careers.
“We have a lot of very strong women. Not only are they in positions of authority, but they also deliver. This event is needed to encourage the younger women to aspire to reach the top level of their careers,” he said.
The NCC boss also acknowledged the unique challenges women face in balancing professional responsibilities with family commitments. He commended their resilience, dedication and ability to deliver results despite these competing demands, stressing that their efforts deserve recognition and support.
Delivering the keynote address, Maryam Idris, managing director of NNPC Trading Company, urged women to deliberately invest in their personal and professional development by acquiring relevant skills, building competence and embracing lifelong learning.
She advised female professionals to confidently communicate their achievements while maintaining integrity throughout their careers, noting that technical expertise alone may not be sufficient for career advancement.
“Build your competence. Read, manage your career, find mentors and sponsors, and continue building your capacity. What you know is something nobody can take away from you,” Idris said.
Also speaking at the event, Rimini Makama, executive commissioner for Stakeholder Management, described the mentorship initiative as a strategic effort to institutionalise leadership development for women within the Commission.
She explained that the programme would establish a sustainable network of accomplished female leaders who would mentor younger professionals, ensuring that leadership development remains a continuous process beyond the tenure of individual office holders.
Makama noted that the Commission already enjoys substantial female representation in leadership positions and intends to build on that progress by preparing more women to assume strategic responsibilities in the future.
The Women in Leadership Programme underscores the NCC’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion, nurturing female talent and creating a stronger pipeline of women leaders capable of driving innovation and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
