Vincent I. Maduka, OFR, is a Nigerian electrical engineer, broadcaster, and the first Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He was conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2003. From 2008 to 2016, he served as a Senior Fellow at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.
Early Life and Background
Maduka was born on October 5, 1935, in Epetedo, Lagos State, to Albert Uzediuno Maduka and Cecilia Amuamuziam Maduka, natives of Illah in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State. At birth, he was named Ifeanyichukwu, but was also called Bamidele (shortened to Dele) by a family friend. He was baptized Vincent at Holy Cross Cathedral three months after birth.
- Primary Education: Lagos Government School, Sandgrouse
- Secondary Education: King's College, Lagos (1949)
- Tertiary Education:
- B.Sc. (Hons) Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, UK (1959)
- M.Eng.Sc., University College Dublin, Ireland (1967)
Maduka began his professional career at Marconi, Chelmsford, before returning to Nigeria to join Western Nigerian Television (WNTV) in 1961.
He married Olu Maduka in North Wales on December 17, 1968.
Career
- 1961–1967: Engineer at WNTV, Ibadan (owned by WNBC)
- 1968: Returned from studies and rejoined WNTV under Teju Oyeleye
- 1973: Became Chief Executive Officer, WNTV–WNBS
- Under his leadership, WNTV–WNBS excelled in programming and commercial viability
Director-General, NTA
- 1977: Appointed pioneer DG of the newly created Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) under General Olusegun Obasanjo
- 1983: Removed under President Shehu Shagari’s administration for maintaining a non-partisan media stance
- 1984: Reinstated as DG by General Muhammadu Buhari
- 1985: Retired voluntarily at age 50 to found Macrocon Systems Ltd, a management and engineering consultancy
Key Achievements at Macrocon Systems
- Led deregulation of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector
- Played a central role in the establishment of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 1992
Academic Role
- Facilitator, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University
- Teaches Creativity and Innovation to postgraduate students
Corporate and Public Appointments
- President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (1992–1993)
- President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering (2004–2005)
- Chairman, Board of Directors:
- Bendel Broadcasting Service (BBS)
- LTC Advertising (JWT Nigeria)
- Magnum Trust Bank
- NITEL
- Radix Capital Partners Ltd
- Development Alternatives and Resource Center (DARC)
- Director, LTC Advertising
- Foundation Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Engineering
- Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers
Religious and Civic Engagements
- Vice-Chairman, Pastoral Council, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos
- President, Lions Club of Victoria Island
- Foundation President, Ugo Club, Illah
Honours
- Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) — 2003
References & External Links
- Guardian Nigeria: Vincent Maduka at 80(http://guardian.ng/features/media/vincent-maduka-80-cheers-for-the-boss-of-the-tube/)
- Pan-Atlantic University Faculty Profile(http://anpej.org/seminar/faculty.html)
- Development Alternatives and Resource Center (DARC)(http://darcng.org/the-board/)