About ATOASDA

The Voice of Telecom Agents in Northern Nigeria.

Our History and Mandate

The Arewa Telecom Operators Agents and SIM Card Dealers Association (ATOASDA) is a network of over 500 partners and hundreds of thousands of agents spread across the 19 Northern States of Nigeria. We are the people at the grassroots who connect communities—through SIM card distribution, registration, activation, and data products—making sure telecom services reach the last mile.

As an association, our vision is simple: to protect the interests of our members, promote compliance with regulatory standards, and build opportunities that empower our people. We believe that telecom is more than business—it is livelihood, it is national security, and it is economic growth.

Since inception, ATOASDA has been at the forefront of advocacy, training, and capacity building. We organize sensitization programmes in partnership with regulators like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure our members understand the dos and don’ts of SIM registration, data integrity, and taxation compliance. Beyond that, we are now exploring new frontiers—such as creating a microfinance cooperative to support members with capital, and engaging with key institutions like NIMC and FIRS to address downtimes and tax burdens that affect our business.

We also recognize the power of relationships. That is why we are intentional about building strong ties with traditional rulers, government agencies, and the media, because their voices amplify ours and help protect the work we do at the grassroots.

We are ATOASDA. We are more than agents—we are connectors, builders, and advocates for a stronger telecom ecosystem in Northern Nigeria.

Leadership Structure

ATOASDA operates on a comprehensive hierarchical structure, ensuring every member is represented. Our organization flows from the National President, supported by National Executives, down to Zonal and State Coordinators, and Local Government Representatives. This structure guarantees efficient communication and collective action across the entire Northern region, making us a formidable and unified force in the Nigerian telecom landscape.

Founding Members

• Hassan Yakubu • Abdullahi Musa • Jaafar Shafiu Usman • Idris Umar Sanda • Bello Alhassan • Ahmed Abdullahi Yahaya • Abdulkadir Muideen • Otorkpa Essa Joshep • Batholomew Shina • Duniya Joel • Abubakar Shahya'u • Suraja Ibrahim

Advisory Council Committee

  • Chairman - Alh. Ibrahim Ladan Jega - Kebbi
  • Vice Chairman - Otorkpa Essa Joseph - Benue
  • Member - Abdulkadir Muideen - Kaduna
  • Member - Idris Gambo - Kaduna

Duties and Responsibilities of ATOASDA Advisory Committee

  • Provides strategic counsel and expert advice on Policy, Governance and Industry matters.
  • Reviews proposals, programs, and initiatives to ensure alignment with long-term objectives.
  • Advisory Committee Chairman: Leads committee deliberations and communicates recommendations to the Chairman.
  • Advisory Committee Vice Chairman: Supports the chairman and acts in his stead when necessary
  • Members: Contribute expertise, industry knowledge, and independent perspectives.

ATOASDA Leadership Hierarchy

National President

Hassan Yakubu

National Executive Committee

Vice Chairman

Duniya Joel

Secretary

Bacholano Shina

Finance 1

Jaafar Shafiu Usman

Finance 2

Idris Umar Sanda

Coordinator

Bello Alhassan

PRO

Ahmed Abdullahi Yahaya

Zonal Coordinators

Six Zones

Zone 1 - Kano

Abba Umar

Zone 2 - Kebbi

Kabiru Mailator Koko

Zone 3 - Niger

Shittu Ayanfe Abbas

Zone 4 - Abuja

Aliyu Muhammad

Zone 5 - Adamawa

Ahmad Muhammad

Zone 6 - Bauchi

Bello Muhammad

State Chairmen

19 States

Kaduna

Aliyu Lawal

Kano

Adamu Tijjani

Katsina

Bashir Lawal

Jigawa

Lukuman Idris Uba

Bauchi

Marouf Abdulrahman

Niger

Alao Abdulhafeez

Gombe

Rabiu Musa

Nasarawa

Abdullahi Muhd Babankiki

Yobe

Nuhu Inuwa Ibrahim

Sokoto

Hamza Umar

Kebbi

Aliyu Garba

Borno

Nasiru Yunusa

Adamawa

Ibrahim Lawan

Abuja

Adebayo Adedeji

Kwara

Mr. Emmanuel Ojo

State Vice Chairmen

Kano

Abubakar Muhammed

Niger

Uthman Alfa Muhammad

Local Government Representatives

Our structure ensures every agent has a direct line of communication and representation, fostering unity and collective strength across all 19 Northern States.

Duties and Responsibilities of ATOASDA Executives

1. President

  • Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for ATOASDA across the 19 Northern States.
  • Oversees the implementation of policies, programs, and initiatives approved by the Association.
  • Issues directives to Zonal Controllers and receives periodic reports on the states under their zones.
  • Represents the Association in dealings with external bodies (e.g., NCC, government agencies, partners, traditional institutions).
  • Ensures effective coordination between national leadership, zones, states, and local government representatives.
  • Works closely with the Vice President in supervising executive functions and ensuring continuity.

    • 2. Vice President (VP)

  • Assists the President in carrying out executive functions and ensures smooth operations of the Association.
  • Acts on behalf of the President in his absence or when delegated.
  • Coordinates inter-zonal collaboration and supports Zonal Controllers in resolving escalated issues.
  • Provides oversight to ensure directives from the President effectively implemented.

    • 3. Finance Unit (Finance 1 and Finance 2)

  • Prepares, manages, and monitors the Association’s financial records, budgets, and accounts.
  • Collects dues, levies, and other approved revenues on behalf of the Association.
  • Provides quarterly and annual financial reports to the Chairman and executive council.
  • Ensures transparent financial practices in compliance with applicable laws and organizational policies.
  • Finance 1: Oversees budgeting, external audit processes, and donor partners financial compliance.
  • Finance 2: Supervises day-to-day transactions, disbursements, and financial reconciliations.

    • 4. Secretary

  • Maintains accurate records of meetings, resolutions, and official correspondences.
  • Custodian of the Association’s official documents, constitution, and archives.
  • Issues official notices, circulars, and communications on behalf of the Chairman and executive council.
  • Coordinates documentation for executive meetings and ensures follow-up on decisions.

    • 5. Program Director

  • Designs, develops, and oversees implementation of ATOASDA programs, projects, and capacity-building initiatives.
  • Works with Zonal Controllers and State Coordinators to execute programmes at grassroots level.
  • Monitors program impact, prepares reports, and recommends improvements.
  • Ensures alignment of programs with the Association’s strategic goals and NCC’s regulatory framework.

    • 6. Public Relations Officer (PRO)

  • Manages the Association’s public image, media relations, and stakeholder communications.
  • Drafts and issues press statements, manages social media accounts, and handles event publicity.
  • Coordinates with media outlets such as BBC Hausa, Freedom Radio, and others to promote ATOASDA activities.
  • Advises the Chairman and executive council on communication strategies and reputation management.

    • 7. Zonal Coordinators

  • Oversees the affairs of the states within his designated zone.
  • Issues directives to State Coordinators and receives reports on their activities.
  • Ensures consistent implementation of national directives across the states under his supervision.
  • Reports directly to the Chairman and works in coordination with the Vice President.
  • Responsible for conflict resolution and compliance monitoring at the zonal level.

    • 8. State Chairman

  • Oversees the affairs of the Association in his respective state.
  • Issues directives to Local Government Representatives and receives reports on their activities.
  • Works with the Deputy State Chairman ensure smooth operations and effective communication.
  • Reports to the Zonal Controller, while ensuring state-level activities are aligned with national objectives.

    • 9. Deputy State Chairman

  • Acts on behalf of the State Coordinator when delegated or in his absence.
  • Supports communication between the State Coordinator and Local Government Representatives.
  • Provides logistical and administrative support for state-level activities and programmes.

    • 10. Local Government Representatives

  • Represent ATOASDA members at the local government level and serve as the first point of contact for coordination and information sharing.
  • Implement directives from the State Chairman and provide timely reports on local activities, challenges, and progress.
  • Mobilize members for meetings, trainings, and association programmes within their local areas.
  • Promote compliance with NCC guidelines and uphold ATOASDA’s values in their communities.
  • Serve as a bridge between grassroots members and higher leadership to ensure effective communication and representation.
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