Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new spectrum roadmap aimed at expanding high-speed internet access across the country.
The commission says the Spectrum Roadmap for 2026 to 2030, alongside plans to open the lower 6 gigahertz and 60 gigahertz bands, will support faster and more reliable connectivity nationwide.
At a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, said spectrum planning was critical to Nigeria’s digital future.
“Spectrum may be invisible, but it is indispensable. Behind every video call, digital transaction and connected device in Nigeria, there is spectrum at work,” he said.
Dr Maida, who was represented at the event by the Head of Spectrum Administration at the commission, Engineer Atiku Lawal, said rising demand for data-driven services meant Nigeria needed smarter planning and more flexible regulation to improve service quality, expand coverage and promote digital inclusion.
The NNC says opening the lower 6 GHz band will significantly improve Wi-Fi performance, while the licence-exempt 60 GHz band will enable multi-gigabit wireless services for homes, schools, businesses and public spaces.
“These steps will unlock new capacity for high-speed, affordable and reliable connectivity and prepare Nigeria for the data demands of tomorrow,” Dr Maida added.
The commission says the measures align with the federal government’s ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy by the year 2030
Also addressing the forum, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, said effective spectrum management was key to achieving national broadband goals.
“The way we plan, assign and regulate spectrum will determine our ability to stimulate innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness,” he said.
Mr Oshadami was represented by the Head of Fixed Networks and Converged Services at the NCC, Engineer Gidado Maigana, who acknowledged progress in mobile broadband and 5G rollout but warned that growing demand from cloud computing, fixed wireless access and real-time applications was placing increasing pressure on existing spectrum resources.
The NCC says feedback from industry stakeholders will shape the final regulatory frameworks, which it believes will play a decisive role in Nigeria’s digital growth in the coming years.
RN
