NCC Staff Allege Abuse, Corruption, Irregular Recruitment Under EVC Dr. Aminu Maida, Call for Probe

Some staff members of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have accused Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Dr. Aminu Maida of widespread corruption, abuse of power, staff victimisation, and intimidation. Operating under the name Concerned Staff of the NCC, they allege management has refused to promote existing employees citing “no vacancies” while approving the recruitment of over 50 new staff.
The workers further claimed that the introduction of a voluntary redundancy scheme is being used to force out existing employees to create vacancies for preferred candidates, amid alleged board interference and staff intimidation, including involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sources also allege that Maida frequently travels abroad, particularly to the UK, without handing over responsibilities, leaving oversight to close associates. Staff warned that no individual is above the law and called on the Minister of Communications, anti-corruption agencies, the National Assembly, and the media to investigate irregular recruitment, the redundancy scheme, intimidation practices, and alleged declining service quality at the NCC.

#NCCCorruption #AminuMaida #NigerianTelecoms #StaffAbuse #IrregularRecruitment

NCC Crisis Deepens As Staff Allege Victimisation, Disputed Promotions, Board Compromise And Due Process Violations

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is facing deepening internal turmoil as at least 22 staff members allege victimisation, flawed promotion processes, and persistent violations of civil service rules under the current management. Sources say confidence in the newly constituted NCC board has collapsed amid claims of compromised independence, selective appointments, intimidation, and disregard for due process despite a July 2025 Head of Service circular. Aggrieved staff are preparing legal action, warning that continued internal divisions, alleged irregularities, and poor regulatory performance could damage the NCC’s credibility and effectiveness, with some employees now considering resignation.

Audit Reveals Massive Collapse in Nigeria’s Public Service as 30 MDAs Declared ‘Structurally Failing’

A new federal compliance audit has exposed a deep crisis in Nigeria’s public sector, revealing that 30 major Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are “structurally non-compliant and operationally failing.” The report, covering January–October 2025 and compiled by PEBEC, shows that over half of the institutions evaluated did not meet the minimum 50% Business Facilitation Act (BFA) compliance benchmark.

Only five agencies—including the Nigerian Content Development Board, NDLEA, Customs, NCC and NPA—recorded strong performances. Meanwhile, critical institutions like NIMC, NBS, NIPOST, SEC, NUPRC, NIMASA, and NEXIM Bank ranked at the bottom, scoring below 50%, with NIMC posting a shocking 12.7%.

The audit paints a grim picture of widespread governance failure marked by sluggish approvals, analog processes, opaque systems, missing service timelines, lack of digital integration, and zero accountability. Despite billions invested in digital transformation, essential services such as identity registration and passport processing remain chaotic, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of a collapsing public service infrastructure.

Sowore resumes #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest In Abuja after Police Attacks.

Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday resumed the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, hours after police operatives violently dispersed an earlier demonstration at the Transcorp Hilton and Maitama areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sowore, joined by clergymen, civil society activists, and members of pro-democracy groups, returned to the streets in defiance of what he described as “a brutal and unlawful attempt to silence peaceful citizens.”

The protesters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, marched through parts of the Central Business District and Eagle Square, demanding the immediate release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Earlier in the day, the protest had turned chaotic when heavily armed police officers fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse demonstrators gathered near the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headquarters and Transcorp Hilton. Videos from the scene showed people running in panic as gunfire echoed through the streets.

Despite the chaos, Sowore and several protesters regrouped later in the afternoon, vowing not to be intimidated. Addressing reporters, the activist condemned the police for what he called “an assault on democracy and a violation of the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.”

New INEC Chairman Vows to Make Elections So Credible Even Losers Will Congratulate Winners.

Newly confirmed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has pledged to deliver elections so transparent and credible that even losing candidates will willingly congratulate the winners.

Speaking during his Senate screening and confirmation on Thursday, Amupitan said his mission is to rebuild public trust in the electoral process through collaboration with key institutions like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“Our goal is to make elections so credible that even the loser will congratulate the winner in good faith, just as both sides accept a fair court judgment,” he told lawmakers.

The Senate unanimously approved his appointment after a three-hour screening session. Senate President Godswill Akpabio charged him to ensure that every vote counts, noting that his confirmation marks a new chapter after Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s 10-year tenure.

Amupitan promised to audit INEC’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to correct the glitches that eroded confidence in the 2023 elections. He also vowed to strengthen accountability within the commission through an Ethics and Compliance Committee and a whistleblower policy.

He further said INEC will work with security agencies and invest in technology, including drones, to safeguard election materials and logistics.

“This is a sacred trust,” Amupitan said. “We will make our elections so credible that even those who lose will admit it was fair and just.”

Gunmen Attack NYSC Members At Christian Fellowship Lodge In Akwa Ibom, Injure Corps Member, Steal 13 Phones, Laptop.

The latest incident happened on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) Family House, Urua Ekpa, along Calabar–Itu Road in Itu Local Government Area.
NYSC
Gunmen attacked members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State, robbing them of their valuables and injuring a female corps member, SaharaReporters has gathered.

The latest incident happened on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Nigerian Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) Family House, Urua Ekpa, along Calabar–Itu Road in Itu Local Government Area.

According to victims who spoke to SaharaReporters, the armed robbers stormed the lodge in the night, carting away at least 13 mobile phones, three power banks, one laptop, and vital personal documents.

One female corps member was struck with a gun during the operation and fainted.

“This is the second time in less than a year that we are experiencing such a traumatising attack here,” one of the corps members said.

“The last robbery happened on November 17, 2024, when three people were injured and eight phones, three laptops and four power banks were stolen. This time around, 13 phones, three power banks and a laptop were collected at gunpoint.”

Another victim told SaharaReporters that corps members have been warned against posting about such incidents on social media, a move they described as a cover-up by the Akwa Ibom State government to mask the level of insecurity in the state.

“Corpers are not allowed to post anything online, but the truth is we are facing serious danger here,” the source said.

Nigeria Destroys Over 1,300 Firearms Recovered From Terrorists, Bandits

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has destroyed 1,316 illicit firearms in Abuja, in an exercise supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The weapons — seized from terrorists, bandits, smugglers, and violent groups — were burned and later smelted at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, to ensure full decommissioning.

Since 2021, NCCSALW has eliminated over 13,230 illegal and obsolete weapons, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to combating arms proliferation and fulfilling international security obligations.

NSA Nuhu Ribadu described the exercise as a “clarion call” to reclaim Nigeria’s security space, citing new reforms such as the Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024.

NCCSALW Director-General Johnson Kokumo said the destruction sends a clear signal that Nigeria will not tolerate illegal arms undermining national stability.

The event was attended by military chiefs, police leaders, and international partners.

#Nigeria #Security #Peace

The FG has confirmed the closure of 13,597,057 social media accounts over offensive content & violations of the Code of Practice 2024 across platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram & X.

The disclosure was made in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, submitted by major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft & TikTok. The code, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) & the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) outlines measures to curb online harm.

According to the report, 58,909,112 offensive posts were taken down, while 754,629 complaints were registered by users. It also noted that 420,439 contents were removed but later re-uploaded following user appeals.

In a statement, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hadiza Umar commended the platforms for complying with the code, stressing that the initiative is aimed at ensuring a safer & more responsible digital environment for Nigerians.

President Tinubu Abolishes 5% Telecoms Tax For Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the scrapping of the controversial 5% excise duty, which applied to mobile voice and data services in the nation’s telecommunications services.
President Tinubu Abolishes 5% Telecoms Tax For Nigerians
This development was disclosed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He confirmed that the excise levy, which was initially suspended in 2023, has now been officially removed under revised national tax laws.

Naija News understands that the total removal of the tax is aimed at easing financial pressures on consumers and businesses in Nigeria’s digital economy.

“The 5% excise duty is no longer in effect.

“Initially, it was only suspended, but the President has now completely removed it. I was present when the issue was raised, and he firmly said, ‘No, we cannot place this burden on Nigerians.’ I was very pleased to see that this directive was upheld in the new legislation,” Maida said during the press briefing.

President Tinubu first suspended the tax in July 2023 as part of a broader fiscal policy overhaul aimed at mitigating the impact of multiple tax burdens on businesses and households. The suspension came through a series of executive orders signed shortly after he assumed office.

However, the issue resurfaced in October 2024, when the National Assembly proposed reinstating the tax as part of broader revenue-generating measures, which also included levies on gaming, betting, and lottery services.

The proposal was met with strong resistance from the telecom sector.

The matter has now been laid completely to rest based on the revelation by the NCC boss during his press briefing.

Nigerians Applaud as Pres Tinubu Scraps 5% Telecom Excise Duty in New Tax Law.

President Bola Tinubu has permanently removed the 5 per cent excise duty on telecommunications services, a move expected to reduce cost burdens on subscribers.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, confirmed the development during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. “The excise duty… is no longer there,” Maida said.

“Before it was suspended, but now the president has removed it entirely. I was in the room when it came up, and he said, ‘No, we cannot put this on Nigerians.’ I was very pleased when the bills came out and his words were followed through.” The scrapped levy was part of a broader tax reform initiative under the proposed Nigeria Tax Act, aimed at consolidating and repealing existing taxation laws.

Introduced in 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the duty faced heavy criticism from industry players and consumers alike.

President Tinubu suspended the policy in July 2023, citing its negative impact on Nigerians and the economy. Its full removal, Maida noted, would now ease pressure on subscribers and encourage growth in the telecom sector, which is central to Nigeria’s digital economy.

He added that the NCC is pursuing broader reforms focused on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. One of the initiatives, a public map of network performance showing independent data on download speeds, latency, and service quality, is expected to be released in September.

Tinubu Scraps 5% Telecoms Tax — NCC

President Bola Tinubu has permanently abolished the 5% excise duty on telecommunications services, a levy that had drawn widespread criticism from industry players and consumer advocates.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, confirmed the decision at a media briefing in Abuja, noting that while the duty was only suspended in 2023, it has now been completely removed under revised tax laws.

“The President said clearly that we cannot place this burden on Nigerians, and the directive has now been enshrined in the new legislation,” Maida said.

The excise duty, which applied to mobile voice and data services, had been faulted for driving up digital access costs and threatening telecom operators already struggling with rising expenses. Proposals to reinstate it in 2024 were strongly resisted by stakeholders, who argued it would stifle growth in Nigeria’s digital economy.

#DigitalEconomy #Telecoms #Nigeria

Weeks After Withdrawal of UBEC appointment, Pres. Tinubu Appoints Idris Olorunnimbe as NCC Chairman.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Idris Olorunnimbe, founder of The Temple, as chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Olorunnimbe replaces Aminu Waida, who will continue as the NCC’s executive vice chairman and chief executive officer — a role he has held since October 2023, with Senate confirmation in November that year.

Olorunnimbe’s previous federal appointment as chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in March was withdrawn in July and given to former Nasarawa governor, Tanko Al-Makura.

He also served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) board, where he led youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes. The new NCC board includes: Abraham Oshidami (executive commissioner, technical services), Rimini Makama (executive commissioner, stakeholder management), Maryam Bayi (former director, human capital & administration), Cornel Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd), Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the board secretary.

Tinubu also approved Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, as chairman of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), with Olorunnimbe as vice chairman. Other USPF board members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (FMCIDE representative), Joseph B. Faluyi (finance ministry), Auwal Mohammed (budget & planning ministry), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Okanlawon, Gafar Quadri, and the USPF secretary.

The USPF was set up to expand access to information and communication technologies in rural, unserved, and underserved communities across Nigeria.

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has successfully taken down MovieBox.ng, a website notorious for streaming pirated movies, music, and live sports content.

The shutdown, which took effect on July 20, 2025, is part of the NCC’s ongoing efforts to combat digital copyright violations.

Confirming the development in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, NCC Director-General Dr. John Asein described the move as a significant step forward in the Commission’s intensified campaign against online piracy.

NCC Shuts Down MovieBox Over Piracy Operations.

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in partnership with the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has shut down , a not+rious p+racy website that streamed unauthorised movies, music, and live sports.

According to NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Ijeoma Egbunike, the suspension took effect on July 20, 2025, following intensified efforts to combat digital p+racy. NCC Director-General, John Asein, said the move was widely applauded by rights holders in the film, music, and broadcast sectors.

Asein revealed that was part of a broader network of p+racy platforms using clone and fallback domains to distribute ill$gal content. “They use multiple mirror domains to access and promote p+rated content, with domain histories linked to known p+racy operations,” he stated.

He praised NiRA for its swift action and urged other internet service providers and intermediaries to comply with takedown requests in accordance with the Copyright Act, 2022.

The NCC also warned the public against using ill$gal streaming sites, saying such platforms not only v+late copyright laws but also pose serious risks including malware infections, identity th+ft, and financial sc+ms.

Efforts are ongoing to dismantle mirror sites associated with as part of NCC’s wider anti-p+racy initiative, the “Stand Together Against Online p+racy (STOP)” campaign, launched earlier this year. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting intellectual property and ensuring that digital platforms are not used to undermine Nigeria’s creative economy.

Nigerian Communications Commission Staff Ask Tinubu To Constitute Board Amid Promotion Scandal, Alleged Corruption
Amid a scandal over a controversial promotion exercise and allegations of fund mismanagement, staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are calling on President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the current board and appoint a new leadership team.

The March 2025 promotion exercise reportedly lacked transparency and fairness, with accusations of favoritism, ethnic bias, and political interference. Staff allege that promotions were conducted without proper board, ministerial, or presidential approval, and that merit was ignored.

Some employees believe that only a complete overhaul of the board and management can restore integrity to the commission. They point to increasing nepotism, divisiveness, and contract-chasing by the current leadership, warning that the NCC is drifting away from its original mission.

Despite denials by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, who insisted the process was fair and aligned with regulations, internal discontent remains high. Staff are using personal channels to raise concerns with the government, fearing that the once-respected agency is on a path to ruin if no urgent reforms are made.

After years of subscriber decline, 9mobile is staging a major comeback, thanks to a newly approved national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria. The deal, backed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will allow 9mobile subscribers to access MTN's extensive network nationwide.

With only about 2 million active users left, 9mobile hopes to restore access to over 22 million former subscribers by the end of July. Under this three-year agreement, users will now be able to enjoy seamless service coverage wherever MTN operates, beginning with Lagos and rolling out nationwide in the coming weeks.

According to 9mobile CEO Obafemi Banigbe, this partnership is part of a broader network recovery strategy to make 9mobile competitive again, focusing on strategic infrastructure sharing.

Representing MTN’s CEO, Linda Saint Nwafor emphasised the partnership as a step toward industry sustainability and digital acceleration, aligning with national objectives to improve telecom reach and efficiency.

Source: The Guardian Nigeria.

Will you give 9mobile another shot?

The Federal Government has destroyed 3,867 Small and Light Weapons.

“Today, a total of quantity 3,867 different types and calibres of SALW will be destroyed by the initial burning process and subsequently, smelting of the remnant metal parts.

“It is pertinent to state that the National Centre has in its custody some recovered/captured illicit SALW still undergoing tracing as well as investigations and legal processes.

“These include the illicit weapons smuggled into the Country and intercepted at Onne Port and NAHCO shed at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos by the Nigeria Customs Service.

“These categories of weapons would be destroyed on completion of the proceedings during subsequent routine destruction exercises,” he said.

transparent documentation and destruction of decommissioned, unserviceable, captured, surrendered, and recovered illicit firearms.

This, he said, is in line with the provisions of Article 17 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW and the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW.

The NCCSALW boss said the centre would continue to push in the direction of generating ingenious strategies to reduce, if not completely eradicate, the availability of illicit arms in society.

He expressed appreciation to the Service Chiefs and heads of other arms-bearing security and intelligence services for releasing the recovered weapons for the destruction exercises.

“I am assured of your continued support to the Centre as we work together towards our shared vision of an illicit arms-free society,” he added.

NCC directs banks to deduct USSD transaction fees from users' mobile airtime.