…Kwara shines yet again on national roll-call
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed retired Colonel Abdulwahab Ademola Lawal, PhD, FIMC, from Offa in Kwara State, as a member of the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The appointment was announced alongside other board members, with Idris Olorunnimbe named as Chairman and Dr. Aminu Wada retained as Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
Col. Lawal’s selection brings to the board a wealth of leadership experience from military service, governance, and management consulting.
A seasoned officer, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1974 after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Over the years, he served in critical command and operational roles, including Battalion Intelligence Officer, Company Commander, Brigade Major in Liberia under ECOMOG, and Sector Operations Officer for the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG).
Beyond the battlefield, Lawal has been deeply involved in peacebuilding, security governance, and policy development. He has worked as a Directing Staff at the Command and Staff College, served on ministerial and presidential committees, and published works on democratic management of the armed forces and accountable security sector governance.
His expertise has been sought by government agencies, state governments, and development organisations for capacity building programmes, particularly in areas of intergovernmental collaboration and policy formulation.
In 2024, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appointed him Chairman of the Kwara State Education Trust Fund (ETF), tasking him with mobilising resources to improve educational infrastructure, support teacher development, and ensure sustainable funding for schools in the state.
Under his leadership, the ETF has begun laying the groundwork for projects aimed at bridging funding gaps and fostering educational excellence in Kwara.
Col. Lawal’s Offa roots remain central to his public service philosophy.
Educated at the Anglican College of Commerce in Offa before joining the military, he has maintained close ties with his community, often lending his expertise to local initiatives and youth development programmes.
His appointment to the NCC board signals not just recognition of his professional pedigree but also an opportunity for Kwara State to have a voice in shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.
The NCC, as the country’s telecoms regulator, plays a critical role in driving digital inclusion, expanding broadband penetration, and ensuring fair competition in the sector.
For Offa and Kwara State, his appointment represents another milestone in the growing national recognition of indigenes contributing to governance and development at the highest levels.
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