Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has set a clear ambition: to position Nigeria’s telecommunications sector as the most professional across all industries in the country.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on the 11th of October 2023 as the country’s Chief Telecom Regulator, with subsequent confirmation by the Senate on the 16th of November 2024, Dr. Aminu Maida has been tasked with upholding a tradition of regulatory excellence, sustaining and building investor confidence, growing the industry and deepening Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure.
With a Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Bath University, UK, a Master in Engineering in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from Cambridge Judge Business School, Dr. Maida’s educational credentials and career trajectory have shaped his ability to tackle complex technical challenges and provide the much-needed leadership to advance Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
To disrupt the norm and achieve reforms within any institution requires courage. Dr. Aminu Maida’s vision for the telecommunications industry demands just that. He has not hesitated to take bold steps that are embedding a new culture aligned with the dynamic nature of the sector. Take for example: A key driver of his leadership is digitalisation, which is essential for achieving efficiency. As Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, he has initiated the unprecedented implementation of a digitised administrative system across the Commission, ensuring that the expectations of the Commission’s stakeholders are met with greater speed, transparency, and effectiveness.
Beyond setting targets, mobilising his team, and delivering results for the sector, Dr. Maida is leading by example.He is known for many qualities—chief among them is his thoroughness, attention to detail, and insistence on data as the foundation for decision-making. These are the principles he has brought into Nigeria’s public service. Consider, for instance, his emphasis on data: since assuming leadership at the Commission, regulatory activities are no longer executed for their own sake. Every decision is expected to be grounded in data—data that reveals patterns and justifies regulatory intervention.
His Strategic Vision for the telecommunications industry, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration rests on meeting the expectations of three stakeholders he considers key to the mandate of the NCC. They are the Licensees and Industry, the Consumers, and the Government. The focus of the Commission under his leadership is to ensure that the expectation of each of these stakeholders are met by the Commission. Whether it is in ensuring that the industry becomes more resilient while enjoying efficient regulatory services; or consumers enjoying improved quality of experience with telecommunications services; or the government meeting its goals of a growing telecommunications industry, and having the backbone to support its digital public infrastructure drive as well as bridging the rural-urban digital divide.
All of these are underpinned by the Strategic Blueprint of the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) which provides the policy framework for driving the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. The Ministry’ Strategic Blueprint has five pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship and capital; and trade.
The NCC, being the sector regulator for telecommunications services plays a role that cuts across a number of the Ministry’s strategic pillars. Particularly the infrastructure and knowledge pillar. As the backbone of Nigeria’s digital transformation, the Commission ensures a competitive and sustainable telecoms market that delivers quality connectivity nationwide. It also advances technical capacity under the knowledge pillar and supports the implementation of Ministry-led policy directives within the industry.
In the last 17 months since Dr. Aminu Maida assumed office, his approach and strategy to regulation can be summed in this philosophy: Transparency and Information Disclosure. This means a deliberate shift towards an open, accountable, and data-driven governance in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. Under his leadership, regulatory decisions, processes, and expectations are made clear and accessible to all stakeholders. Matched with proactive sharing of accurate, timely, and relevant information—whether it is about industry performance, market trends, compliance requirements, or consumer protection measures.
In January 2024, the Commission revised telecommunications statistics to reflect Nigeria’s updated population estimate, as projected by the National Population Commission. As a result, Nigeria’s teledensity score declined. However, the adjustment was made in the interest of data transparency and accountability within the telecommunications sector. This same philosophy guided the Commission’s decision to disclose the outcome of its audit of Nigeria’s telecommunications subscriber database, following the implementation of the NIN-SIM linkage policy and review of active subscribers. While this led to a reduction in the reported subscriber base, it provided a more accurate representation of the industry’s current state.
In May this year, the Commission announced that it had directed operators to notify consumers of major network outages through media channels, clearly stating the affected areas, the cause, and the estimated time for resolution. This directive aligns with the Executive Vice Chairman’s commitment to transparency. Additionally, Compliance, Quality of Experience, and Consumer Satisfaction Indexes are being developed to drive service improvements by holding operators accountable and empowering consumers to make informed choices based on operator performance.
The Commission will announce updated Corporate Governance Guidelines for the telecommunications industry in the coming weeks. Strong corporate governance among operators has been shown to enhance financial performance, service delivery, and regulatory compliance. The revised Guidelines are expected to strengthen operator performance across the sector by promoting a culture of integrity and accountability—hallmarks of Dr. Aminu Maida’s leadership.
Transparency and accountability are bringing greater credibility, trust, and integrity to Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. By making regulatory processes clearer and industry data more accurate and accessible, the Commission is fostering a more predictable environment for investors, improving consumer protection, and promoting responsible operator behaviour.
The Maida-led NCC takes the credit for successfully concluding the implementation of the Federal Government’s NIN-SIM Policy—one that had been on since December 2020 and had suffered eight postponements before its conclusion in September 2024. As of September 2024, all SIM Cards operating in Nigeria were linked to a valid and verified NIN—ensuring a more credible and reliable national citizens’ database, central to Nigeria’s digital economy.
With the Consumer at the centre of the telecommunications industry, the NCC under Dr. Maida is taking dimensions of consumer welfare a notch higher. Prior, the Commission held operators accountable based on technical parameters of Quality of Service (QoS) metrics which did not in fact address all touchpoints of the consumers. With this new approach, that is the measurement of Quality of Experience (QoE),the Commission has shifted from technical metrics to include the end user’s entire experience with telecommunications services.
The Commission, under Dr. Maida, in February this year signed a grant agreement with Swedish Fund (SWEDFUND) to fund a Crowdsourcing Quality of Experience Project for the purpose of empowering the Nigerian telecoms regulator to monitor network performance in real-time, identifying and addressing issues such as dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and weak coverage in the country’s telecoms ecosystem. Similarly, the Commission has partnered with Innovations for Poverty Action to launch an Embedded Consumer Lab, utilising data analytics to improve telecom consumer protection.
Dr. Maida has led advocacy for increased telecom infrastructure protection, while collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and other key industry stakeholders to achieve a successful operationalisation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order 2024 signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024.
The Commission, under Dr. Maida, over the past 17 months, has made numerous strides. These include leading the resolution of the long-standing dispute on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service debts between the banks and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) as well as the resolution of outstanding interconnectivity debts among telecom operators;the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with sister agencies to streamline roles and reduce regulatory uncertainties.
These achievements, though significant, mark only the beginning. Under Dr. Aminu Maida’s leadership, the Nigerian Communications Commission is laying the foundation for a future defined by professionalism, transparency, and innovation. The journey to building the most professional telecommunications industry in the country is surely underway.
Oreoluwa Finnih, On The Path Of Repositoning Public Healthcare, SDG In Lagos
Dr. Oreoluwa Finnihis the former CEO of Finnih Medical Centre and a seasoned leader in healthcare and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With over 20 years experience in the public health management and policy implementation, Dr. Finnihhas made significant contributions in aligning government priorities with the SDGs and fostering impactful collaborations. Her work underscores her dedication to advancing healthcare and sustainable development in Lagos State and beyond.
Currently, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she is driving reforms, advocating for gender equality, women’s empowerment and global partnerships to promote sustainable development.
Speaking on her growing up and passion in healthcare delivery, OreoluwaFinnihdisclosed that she was born into a family where service, courage, and integrity were not abstract ideals, saying these virtue in their home were like the air they breathed.
According to her, she watched her father serve selflessly, not just through personal kindness, but through fearless public engagement, saying he was part of the NADECO movement — one of those rare Nigerians who believed in democracy when it was dangerous to do so.
“Back then, activism was not a hashtag; it was a sacrifice. Politics was not about power; it was a moral calling. Growing up in that kind of environment planted something deep within me; a conviction that no matter where life takes you, you must always find your way back to service. Even as I pursued a degree in Dentistry at LUTH, I somehow knew I would not end up practicing in the traditional sense. I was drawn more to people than procedures. I had an inner longing to help shape a society where people, especially the most vulnerable, could live with dignity; where justice, fairness and opportunity were not privileges, but rights. That desire stayed with me, even as I spent over a decade running our family’s healthcare practice, established in1983,” she said
Reminiscing the past, the public health professional disclosed that at a time in her private practice, she began to have the feeling of deeper purpose of wanting to contribute to society more intentionally, in a way that truly resonated with people’s experiences, adding that she wanted to design systems and not just treat symptoms, stressing that the internal shift became impossible for her to ignore.
“So, in 2016, I transitioned into public service not because I had all the answers, but because I had a heart that could not sit still on the face of inequality,” she continued, “I entered with the mindset that governance is not just about policies and programmes; it is about people. And every day I have served, I have seen the power of empathy, strategy and collaboration in transforming lives. That, for me, is what truly brought my career to life.”
Starting as a junior dental officer in the Lagos State Health Management Board before going into private practice, working for Schubbs Dental Care and later with Finnih Medical Centre, Dr.Finnihrevealed that she did not just practice dentistry, while working in those places, but was able to grow through different roles, honing her skills in different aspects of hospital management, including human resources, administration and finance, sales and marketing, customer service and strategic planning.
She said, “I was able to serve in leadership roles both as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and also as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). However, my passion to serve people beyond the four walls of the hospital led me back to public office where I served as senior dental officer. Thereafter, I was appointed as Special Assistant to Governor BabjideSanwo-Olu on health during his first term in office and most recently as Special Adviser on SDGs to The Lagos State Governor.”
Shedding light on the level of professionalism involved in handling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), she disclosed that the office of SDG has undergone strategic alignment to support the agenda of government in advancing inclusive growth, stressing that this has led the body to redesign the vision, mission and mandate of the office to suit the new nomenclature, ensuring coherence and synergy with the evolving priorities of this administration.
She divulged that the office has also been able to define high-impact initiatives to achieve its mandate including: policy and planning, resource mobilisation, advocacy and awareness, monitoring and evaluation, adding that with these structures put in place, the agency is now confident to reposition Lagos to the path of wealth creation and economic growth.
“Having lived the day-to-day reality of public service in Lagos, I can say this with full conviction that the most innovative approach I have adopted is people-centered governance. I have stopped asking, ‘what are we delivering?’ and started asking, ‘who are we delivering to and are we listening to them?’ Integrating human-centered design into our planning process is one of the most impactful shifts in the office of SDGs. This means going into communities, not with pre-packaged solutions, but with open ears. It is how we discovered, for instance, that in some riverine areas the real barrier to maternal care is not awareness or willingness, but transportation. That insight did not come from a dashboard. It came from dialogue.
“Another example I am particularly proud of, is the financial literacy initiative we rolled out for women across underserved communities. We partnered with Fintech organisations and local stakeholders to design practical sessions, not just about saving or budgeting, but about ownership, digital access, and long-term agency. We reached over 1200 women, and for many of them, it was the first time someone said, ‘your dreams are valid, and here is how to fund them.’ And of course, none of this would be sustainable without data. We have invested in data that help us see which LGAs are progressing on which goals, and where interventions are lagging.
“Lagos is the first sub-national to do its SDGs voluntary local review in Nigeria and we are gearing for another. The visibility from our data has allowed us to shift from reactive policymaking to proactive systems planning. Ultimately, I believe innovation in public service must be grounded in proximity, to the people, their stories, and their aspirations. We have embraced a model that centres on the lived realities of Lagosians, especially those who are often invisible in policy spaces. And as we scale this approach, I am hopeful it will not only accelerate progress on the goals, but also redefine what governance can look like — humane, inclusive and future-focused,” she said.
Reflecting on her role as Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government, the public healthcare specialist disclosed that the biggest step her office can take as a government is to translate the SDGs into human terms, into daily realities. Firstly, to make data more than just a buzzword because, according to her their work becomes more effective when their officers use real-time data to map out underserved areas, track our interventions, and course-correct quickly, stressing that when they know who they are leaving behind, it becomes harder to ignore them.
Secondly, she harped on the need to be involved public-private partnerships, not just as a funding mechanism, but as a co-creation tool, adding that some of the most innovative SDG projects in Lagos came alive because creatives, corporate bodies and community-based organisations were allowed to be involved.
Another area, she touched was investing in people, particularly through upskilling and financial inclusion, emphasizing that for one to talk about wealth creation, we must democratise access to opportunity.
“We need to make it easier for a young woman in Agege with tailoring skills to register her business, access microcredit, and sell on a digital platform. Lastly, infrastructure is not just about roads and bridges, it is about dignity. If we are building without sustainability and equity in mind, we are setting ourselves up to rebuild again in 10 years. So, yes, invest in roads, but also in resilient systems that serve people across income levels and geographies. Fast-tracking the SDGs, for me, is about weaving them into the everyday Lagosian experience. When people feel, see and are empowered, that is when true development and real wealth creation begins,” she affirmed.
Pointing out how the agency can maintain its facilities, the CEO of Finnih Medical Centre said: “Infrastructure is not just about structures, it is about systems that preserve dignity. When we talk about roads, hospitals, housing, or schools, we are not just talking about concrete and steel, but about how people live, move and thrive. I believe maintaining standards in infrastructure starts with the courage to say ‘no’ to shortcuts, even when it is inconvenient.
“Lagos is growing rapidly and the temptation to focus on speed over sustainability is real. But we cannot afford that trade-off. Every bridge or borehole we commission must be built not just to last, but to serve!
That is why we have placed compliance and enforcement at the heart of our approach. From my experience, when you build in silos, you build short-term. But when you build with the right collaborators: engineers, community leaders, environmental experts, you build legacy. We now insist on multi-stakeholder engagement before any project breaks ground. Also, we have had to invest in internal capacity. You cannot expect high standards when the evaluators do not have the training, tools, or confidence to speak up. We have prioritised skilling up our teams, especially around sustainability, resilience, and climate alignment.
“But beyond the technical, there is a value that underpins everything for me: accountability. We are deliberate about transparency, whether it is publishing project milestones or responding to feedback from the people who actually use these facilities. It is not always perfect, but we are building a system where standards are not a box to tick, they are the baseline. For Lagos to remain not just a megacity, but a model city, our infrastructure must reflect foresight, fairness, and future readiness. That is the standard we are committed to and we are building towards it every day,” she noted.
For her public works and service, Dr. OreoluwaFinnihhas received different awards and recognitions, including Award of Excellence in August 2024 by Lagos State University’s Centre for the Actualisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (LASU-SDGs); Award of Appreciation by the Swiss Nigerian Business Council (2024); Award of Excellence by Lagos State University Medical Students’ Association (LASUMSA, 2022); Award of Appreciation by the Council of Higher Institutions (MSSN Lagos State Area Unit, 2023), among many others.
Oyekanmi Elegushi: Driving Digital Transformation, Enhancing Businesses
Accomplished as a lawyer, OyekanmiElegushi, the General Manager/CEO of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), excused himself from private law practice for greater service of humanity and ventured into different sectors, including real estate, fintech and finally politics, where his expertise and dedication earned him a prominent position in the political space in Lagos State.
Before becoming the GM/CEO of LASIMRA, the lawyer cum administrator had served as the Executive Secretary/Legal Adviser, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA); Executive Director, Holdings Limited; andthe Acting Managing Director/CEO, Ibile Holdings Ltd.
Bridging traditional sectors with cutting-edge digital practices, Elegushi has continued to revolutionalise digital innovation. Under his guidance, LASIMRA has championed smart city projects and advanced utility regulation, including 5G network expansion, thereby positioning Lagos as a hub for tech-driven infrastructure. His forward-thinking approach to integrating creativity and digital solutions is shaping the future of public infrastructure management in the state and by extension the country as a whole.
Explaining his role as LASIMRA boss, he said: “I have the opportunity to implement policies and oversee projects that significantly influence public infrastructure and service delivery. My experiences as a lawyer, public servant and politician have interconnected with each role, building on the last to enhance my capabilities and also deepen my commitment to service.”
Stressing that the passion that brought his career to life is a deep commitment to serving humanity and uplifting the people around him, he noted that this calling has always motivated him to engage with diverse communities and to contribute meaningfully to their well-being.
“I believe true fulfillment comes from making a positive impact in the lives of others, whether through direct service, advocacy or empowerment initiatives. This dedication drives me to seek opportunities where I can leverage my skills and resources to address the needs of individuals and communities. Each interaction with individuals and communities has reinforced my belief that meaningful work is rooted in empathy, compassion and a genuine desire to help others thrive. This passion fuels my resilience and adaptability, inspiring me to tackle obstacles head-on and remain focused on the greater good,” he stressed.
With team comprises highly skilled professionals in project management and regulatory compliance, Elegushi is not resting on his oars. He is leading his team to prioritise the protection of all communications infrastructure in the state and having stakeholder engagement, saying this approach is to guarantee adherence to regulatory standards, foster transparency and accountability in his agency’s operations.
“Our strategic vision for re-positioning Lagos as a hub for wealth creation and economic growth relies on astute decision-making and innovative practices. We invest in cutting-edge technologies and data-driven solutions to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our communications infrastructure. By creating a robust framework that supports seamless connectivity and accessibility, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant economic ecosystem that attracts investment and fosters entrepreneurship. We are aiming at propelling Lagos to a prosperous future where infrastructure plays a pivotal role in economic development,” he stated.
Harping on the need to actively involve stakeholders, including community leaders, businesses and residents, on operations, the LASIMRA head said through this means, his agency has gathered valuable insights and addressed concerns effectively, adding that this collaborative approach builds trust and ensures that infrastructure initiatives align with the needs of the people.
“Robust enforcement measures, coupled with collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other government agencies, ensure compliance with regulatory standards and support seamless coordination across various infrastructure sectors. This integrated approach allows us to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and enhance the quality of life for the end users,” he said.
The introduction of advanced technology into infrastructure planning and maintenance processes by utilising data analytics and smart monitoring systems, according to Elegushi, is one of the ways government can address the challenges in infrastructure development and to fast-track economic growth and create wealth, adding that engaging this technology would facilitate rigorous monitoring and enforcement of compliance with regulatory standards, while ensuring that construction and maintenance practices meet the highest quality benchmarks.
Hinging his successes on God, he disclosed that the example of his late father, Oba YekiniAdeniyiElegushi, who tirelessly uplifted others, has not only inspired him to serve humanity, but has shaped his core principles in life.
Driven by the passion to render quality services, showcase excellence and to create systems that add value to lives, particularly in the area of financial security, retirement and welfare, BabalolaObilana, the Director General of Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), assiduously worked towards his vision, leaving no stone unturned. His efforts soon yielded fruits, when he introduced creative innovations and technology that enabled pension administration in the state to run seamlessly .
With a background in actuarial science and over 28 years experience in the financial sector, the LASPEC boss has maintained a transparent and humane pension system that prioritises the welfare of retirees, making stakeholders to build trust and relay on the commission for their income.
Embracing full digitisation of pension processes, from enrollment and documentation to benefits computation and verification, the number one pension administrator in the state disclosed that the transition has drastically reduced human error, improved accuracy, enhanced data security, and minimised delays in pension processing.
Apart from this, Obilana disclosed that his administration has also adopted a Risk-Based Supervision Model (RBSM) in line with PenCom’s directives, adding that this has enabled the commission to proactively assess compliance and mitigated systemic risks.
Shedding light on some of the services LASPEC is involved in, the Director General said, we have optimised the commission’s stakeholder engagement fora and pre-retirement seminars, ensuring retirees are well-informed and better prepared for life after service, adding that the implementation of pension service week and retiree customer care systems have further helped to humanise service delivery and strengthen public trust in the system.
Equipped with a first degree in actuarial science from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), followed by an MBA from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU), Obilana worked for different reputable financial institutions, including ARM Pension Managers, where he was a pioneer staff and led business development initiatives, and Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, where he served as Executive Director, Business Development and Service, before crossing over to LASPEC.
Consistently focusing on building systems that promote efficiency, growth and service delivery, Obilana’s exposure to senior management strategy at the Lagos Business School further strengthened his leadership approach, he observed. Continuing, he said: “Since my appointment as Director General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), my priority has been to consolidate the gains of pension reform in Lagos, improve stakeholder engagement and ensure retirees receive their benefits promptly and without hardship.
“To address persistent challenges and fast-track pension payments, government at all levels must prioritise the following —- to fully and consistently fund pension liabilities through budgetary allocations and dedicated pension funds; to automate and harmonise pension databases across states to improve efficiency and accountability; to clear legislative frameworks at sub-national levels aligned with the PRA 2014 to ensure consistency and protect workers’ benefits.”
Others according to him, include incentivising timely remittances by enforcing penalties for defaulting employers, while encouraging voluntary participation of informal sector workers; to invest pension funds in infrastructure and national development projects under strict regulatory guidelines to foster economic growth without compromising fund safety, stressing that these actions will not only improve the financial wellbeing of pensioners, but also help position pension funds as a vehicle for sustainable national development.
Disclosing that his commission view pension administration not just as a social obligation, but also a strategic pillar for economic stability and growth, he noted that the level of professionalism embedded in pension administration operations in Lagos State is driven by a deep understanding that efficient pension management would boost financial inclusion, ensures fiscal discipline, and provides safety net for retirees.
Our processes, he informed, are guided by transparency, accountability, and compliance with the Lagos State Pension Reform Law and the National Pension Reform Act (2014), as regulated by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), saying at the commission, his officers leverage data-driven tools, robust internal controls, and a performance-based culture to ensure prompt and timely remittance of accrued rights and efficient service delivery. With this, he observed, pension funds become not only a tool for social protection, but also a significant source of long-term capital for economic development and wealth creation.
Highlighting how government can champion the ease of pension payment in the state, the Chief Pension administrator said it is by the continual support to fund accrued rights in a timely and consistent manner to ensure seamless transition for retirees;
strengthening the use of technology and mobile platforms to improve accessibility, especially for retirees in remote areas and to promote greater synergy between ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for better data integration and payroll management.
Obilana disclosed that sustained public education and awareness campaigns to demystify pension processes and encourage active engagement, as well as institutionalise policy reforms that accommodate dynamic realities such as minimum wage reviews without destabilising the contributory scheme framework would go a long way to reduced the hitches in pension collection.
Emphasising the importance of continuous improvement on personnel, training and corporate services, impactful innovation, and stakeholder-centric service delivery, he noted that the commission engages all of these, as away of charting a path for itself and remaining a model for effective and sustainable pension administration in the country.
Commenting on his dynamism and leadership style, the LASPEC boss revealed that apart from UNILAG and OAU that laid the groundwork for his analytical thinking and strategic problem-solving techniques, his leadership style has the touch of visionary leaders and corporate mentors, including David Richards of blessed memory; KehindeDurosinmiEtti; Sola David-Botha, a woman of substance; and his late father, Sir A.BandeleObilana; saying these great men and lady instilled the values of performance, discipline, integrity, innovation, and excellence in service delivery in him. He stressed, serving under the transformational leadership of the Lagos State Governor, BabajideOlusolaSanwo-Olu, has further strengthened his commitment to meaningful contributions in governance and public administration.
As a reward for his superlative services to humanity and pension administration, the commission in 2021, a lone, received multiple awards from LEADS Africa (for excellence in pension management); the Institute of Corporate Administration (as one of Lagos State’s top 200 corporate administrators); and the Africa Finance (as the Best Public Sector Pension Company).
In the same year, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) honoured the Lagos State Governor, BabajideSanwo-Olu, for his commitment to pensioners’ welfare.
Two year after, precisely in 2023, Trustfund Pensions commended the commission for its consistent pension remittances, while he, Obilana, received the Award of Honour and Achievement from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) for his contributions to the accountancy profession.
The Africa Brand Awards in 2024 honoured the commission for customer service and staff welfare excellence, and just this year, 2025, the Lagos State Office of Internal Audit recognised, Obilana, the Director General of LASPEC, for his outstanding professional support.
Over the years, the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), the parent body of all pension commissions in the country has recognised LASPEC as a frontrunner in the pension industry.
These recognitions affirm LASPEC’s status as a leading, compliant and people-centered pension institution.
Commenting on the various recognitions and awards, the ardent leader said: ” Award-winning leadership is built on a strong foundation of integrity, consistency and service. Leaders must prioritise transparency and accountability in their actions while remaining focused on delivering real value to the people they serve.”
According to him, developing exceptional leaders requires deliberate investment in personal and professional growth, as well as continuous learning, mentorship and exposure to best practice.
With Excellent Services, BabalolaObilana Takes LASPEC Higher, Ups Ante In Pension Administration
Obilana tasked the nation’s institutions both at the federal and state levels to promote a culture of merit, where competence and performance are rewarded above all else, adding that effective leaders must be able to communicate a clear vision, inspire their teams and lead by example.
As a way of motivating team members, he observed that celebrating achievements, no matter how small could help to reinforce a culture of excellence, noting that through consistent, value-driven leadership more individuals will rise to national and international recognition.
