The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has moved from policy planning to the implementation phase of a major digital overhaul, announcing that Nigerians should expect the tangible impact of the newly opened 6GHz and 60GHz spectrum bands before the close of 2026.
Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum in Abuja, the Head of Spectrum Administration, Engineer Atiku Lawal, emphasised that the commission is shifting its focus toward “putting enough spectrum into the industry” to solve the country’s persistent connectivity bottlenecks.
With over 200 million connected lines and more than 90% of Nigerians relying on wireless connections, the nation’s “airwaves” have become dangerously overcrowded.
Lawal described spectrum as a finite resource that, when expanded, directly translates into better speeds for the end-user.
“Imagine how many millions of Nigerians we have… when you look at these devices, over 90 per cent of all connections in Nigeria are done wirelessly,” Lawal stated. “The more the quantum of that resource [spectrum], the better the experience and quality of service for everyone” he stressed.
He added that the commission is setting a “ceiling and floor” for regulations, providing a stable framework that allows telecommunications companies the freedom to innovate and compete.
“We don’t just go and say ‘do this, do that.’ We give a ceiling and a floor… and within that is a lot of opportunity to play and have competition,” Lawal explained.
He noted that this approach encourages operators to invest in infrastructure now, with a formal review of the guidelines expected in two years to assess progress.
Beyond the immediate 6GHz rollout, Lawal confirmed the NCC is already preparing for the next frontier: Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite connectivity.
This technology would allow standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites in space, bypassing traditional ground towers—a critical step for providing 100% coverage in Nigeria’s most remote rural areas.
The Commission has currently published a consultative paper on its website, inviting stakeholders to provide input on the regulatory framework for this satellite-to-mobile technology.