NCC launches initiative to empower female leaders

The Nigerian Communications Commission has unveiled a Women in Leadership Programme aimed at bolstering female leadership in the technology sector, with a focus on creating a sustainable pipeline of women leaders across Nigeria's telecommunications and digital sectors.

n

This initiative, launched by Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Rimini Makama, on Thursday in Abuja, is designed to mentor women and prepare them for greater professional responsibilities, while also building networks among women within the NCC and the wider telecommunications industry.

n

According to Makama, the commission seeks to establish a leadership platform that will outlive its current administration, with the programme set to become a permanent feature of the NCC's capacity-building efforts.

n

Makama noted that although several leadership initiatives for women exist, this is the NCC's first deliberate effort to create a structured community, with the goal of building a mentorship network for female professionals within the regulatory environment.

n

The NCC has recorded progress in gender inclusion, with about 70 per cent of directors being women, and Makama believes this representation of women in leadership provides an opportunity to transfer experience to younger professionals.

n

Makama emphasized the need to harness the energy and wisdom of women in leadership and channel it into developing women working in regulation, while also building and scaling female leadership across the industry.

n

The programme is designed to remain beyond individual leadership tenures at the commission, with Makama stating that it will be institutionalised to ensure its continuation beyond her own tenure.

n

NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, believes the programme will shape younger women in the sector, describing the event as a platform for sharing experiences and inspiring career growth.

n

Maida encouraged women to aspire to and reach the top of their careers, citing the commission's many accomplished women with strong potential for future leadership.

n

Dr Maida expressed optimism about the next generation of women in the commission, seeing a lot of promise in their potential for future leadership.