Premium News
Tensions within the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have escalated as aggrieved staff have raised a fresh alarm over what they describe as a compromised board leadership.
Sources said some 22 staff members of the organization feel cheated, witch-hunted and unfairly treated and that even their hope of seeking redress with the new board of the commission seems like a utopian dream.
Our source revealed that the staff may be set to go to court to seek redress but the EVC’s target among the staff, who is believed to be the most courageous member of staff being victimised, is not even contemplating litigation.
Despite a July 10, 2025 circular from the Office of the Head of Service (HoS) warning Ministries, Departments and Agencies against breaching establishment procedures, staff say intimidation, victimization, and disregard for due process have persisted under the Commission’s current management.
Sources within the Commission allege that the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and the Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management (ECSM), Miss. Rimini Makama, have contributed to internal divisions through selective appointments, irregular foreign travel approvals, and actions perceived as punitive against staff who question management decisions. These concerns, they claim, have weakened morale and hindered operational efficiency.
At the centre of the crisis is the newly constituted NCC board, chaired by Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe. Staff and industry watchers question the independence of the board, alleging it has been compromised even before its official inauguration. Claims include the provision of an official residence in Asokoro and two SUVs to the chairman, as well as private meetings between him and the EVC without the involvement of other non-executive commissioners.
The contentious promotion examination conducted last year remains a major trigger of unrest. Staff insist the process was flawed, divisive, and inconsistent with civil service standards. Board member and former NCC director, Mrs. Mariam Bayi, reportedly pushed for corrections to the process, including restoring the civil service pass mark of 60 percent. However, she is said to have been sidelined after insisting on transparency and fairness.
Sources also allege that the EVC has been approaching security agencies with complaints against staff perceived as disloyal, actions they describe as politically, ethnically driven and unsupported by evidence.
“Most of the time, security agencies were told lies against staff and the matter blown out of proportion just to ensure staff are punished unjustly,” a source said.
Following the HoS circular, at least 22 staff members are now preparing court cases to invalidate decisions they believe were taken in violation of extant rules. They claim the management’s push for board ratification of disputed actions is intended to frustrate their chances of obtaining justice.
“We cannot allow this to continue. They plan to ratify this injustice through the board, but then, the court is the final hope of the common man. We will now proceed to seek redress in court,” the staff who claimed anonymous said.
Industry observers warn that the continued internal turmoil, alleged financial irregularities, and the sidelining of experienced personnel may compromise the NCC’s ability to deliver on its regulatory mandate.
Recently, the Presidential Enabling Council for Business (PEBEC) claimed NCC is one of leading agencies complying with the principles.
But staff allege that the Vice President was deceived and was invited to present an award to NCC.
Industry watchers found this ridiculous. They claim that, “Aside from the irredeemable and deteriorating quality of telecom services, which NCC under Mr. Maida has no solutions to, all stakeholders in the telecom industry have continued to complain about poor services, including basic matters as processing of licenses and applications for approval of services.
“Since the period of Ernest Ndukwe, through late Eugene Juwah and Danbatta, processing applications have clear procedures and timelines and you don’t need to know anyone in NCC to have your applications processed with a specified time. All these have changed under Maida as applicants wait endlessly for approval of basic requests.
“The EVC doesn’t care about the time wasted in processing applications. In fact, the major delays occur in his office. So, it is laughable that an award for compliance with PEBEC will be given to an organisation that repeatedly failed to ensure timely approval of applications,” the source said.
The source further claim that incident puts a question mark on the integrity of the process. In any case, the new board is expected to ensure that there is an objective strategy at NCC that specify timelines for all activities because the vision plan under Maida is nothing more that a statement of intention that is never implemented.
“Even the basic principles and ethos of the Commission (fairness, firmness and forthrightness) have been implemented in the opposite. A commission that approves of serial violation of established rules of public service in staff matters, in fiscal responsibilities and spend money in corrupting processes and standards, jettisoning standard procedures and processes in basic administration can never achieve any success. So, staff and industry watchers expects the new board to take charge of the Commission and stop the recklessness of the last two years since Maida’s appointment,” she claimed.
Some staff say the situation has deteriorated to the point where many are considering resignation, fearing that the Commission’s credibility and effectiveness are being eroded.
“Many of us are planning to leave the commission. We are resigning because we can’t put up with a compromised commission that has pushed aside the interests and welfare of the workers,” Another staff said.
Meanwhile, in her earlier reaction, Acting Head of Public Affairs Nnena Ukoha had said that the promotion exams were conducted for all cadres of staff eligible for promotion at NCC.
She said the exercise was marked by “our commitment to integrity, fairness, and the needs of the industry for competent professionals to drive national objectives.
“In line with the Public Service Rules, the Commission’s organizational structure and manpower plan, each cadre had a defined number of vacancies, representing the number of personnel the Commission could accommodate at each level,” Kalu said in a statement.
“Staff who did not meet the required cut-off, or who passed but for whom vacancies were no longer available at their cadre, could not be promoted.
“Furthermore, the interview panels for staff were composed of credible management staff (drawn from each of the six (6) Geo-Political Zones), in addition to independent external members and representatives from the Federal Character Commission (FCC), who were present to provide oversight and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.”
Meanwhile, our source revealed that the new board will be meeting in Uyo this week and the EVC has allegedly prepared false documents to be presented as the report of management.
It was gathered that one of the reports is planned to be presented by Nafisa Usman Rugga, who was inappropriately promoted to the level of Deputy Director in the controversial promotion exam of March 2025.
Media reports have continued to spotlight Miss Nafisa, who is projected to be Head of Human Capital next year.
“Nafisa was promoted ahead of her senior from South East because she is more malleable to manipulation by Mr. Maida and his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Galadima,” the source alleged.
