The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a Women in Leadership Programme to strengthen female leadership in technology.

The initiative aims to create a sustainable pipeline of women leaders across Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital sectors.

The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Rimini Makama, introduced the programme on Thursday in Abuja.

Ms Makama said the initiative was designed to mentor women and prepare them for greater professional responsibilities.

She said the programme would build networks among women within the NCC and the wider telecommunications industry.

According to her, the commission seeks to establish a leadership platform that will outlive its current administration.

Ms Makama said the programme would become a permanent feature of the NCC’s capacity-building efforts.

“Although several leadership initiatives for women exist, this is our first deliberate effort to create a structured community.

“We want to build a mentorship network for female professionals within the regulatory environment,” she said.

She noted that the NCC had recorded progress in gender inclusion, with about 70 per cent of directors being women.

Ms Makama said the representation of women in leadership provided an opportunity to transfer experience to younger professionals.

“We want to harness that energy and wisdom and channel it into developing women working in regulation.

“We must continue to build and scale female leadership across the industry,” she said.

She added that the programme was created to remain beyond individual leadership tenures at the commission.

“We want to institutionalise it so that when I leave the NCC, it will be adopted. It is not going to die with me; it is here to stay,” Ms Makama said.

The NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, said the programme would shape younger women in the sector.

Ms Maida described the event as a platform for sharing experiences and inspiring career growth.

“This gathering will encourage women to aspire and reach the top of their careers,” he said.

He added that the commission had many accomplished women with strong potential for future leadership.

“I see a lot of promise in the next generation of women in the commission,” Ms Maida said. 

(NAN)