Ndukwe Reflects on NCC Years: Independence, Merit-Based Staffing Drove Telecom Revolution

September 16, 2025
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Former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, has credited regulatory independence, merit-driven recruitment, and quality training as the foundation of the achievements recorded during his 10-year tenure at the telecom regulator.

Speaking on One2One on Channels Television this night, Ndukwe recalled that when he was appointed in 2000 by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, he was given a free hand to recruit top professionals—engineers, accountants, and other specialists—from within and outside Nigeria.

“I came in with the mindset of a private sector professional, and in the first one or two years, I didn’t even see myself as a civil servant,” he said. “But I later realized it was an honour to be a public servant because decisions you make affect the entire country, unlike being an MD of a private company where you’re only answerable to the board and shareholders.”

He described as “absurd” the attitude of some public servants who fail to see their roles as positions of trust for the people.

Ndukwe also paid tribute to the late Ahmed Joda, then Chairman of the NCC Board, who, he said, provided cover for his independent leadership style and gave him direct access to the President, ensuring that critical decisions were taken and implemented without delay.

“At the NCC then, recruitment was purely merit-based—competence mattered, not connections”.

The former telecoms regulator revealed that before his NCC appointment, he had aspired to become Managing Director of NITEL, the state-owned telecom company, which he believed had huge potential but was poorly managed.

He added that the successes achieved at the NCC later led to calls for him to be drafted into the energy sector to drive similar reforms.

Ndukwe, who led the NCC from 2000 to 2010, is widely credited as the father of Nigeria’s telecom revolution, following the award-winning GSM auction, and was regarded as one of Africa’s foremost telecom regulators of his era.

He is currently the chairman of MTN Nigeria board of directors.

By Aaron Ukodie

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