In a move aimed at revolutionising Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched its Spectrum Roadmap for 2026–2030.
The plan, alongside new guidelines for the lower 6GHz and 60GHz bands, is set to provide the high-speed infrastructure necessary to achieve President Bola Tinubu’s goal of a $1trillion digital economy by 2030.
At a high-level consultative forum held in Abuja on Monday, industry stakeholders gathered to review the framework that will govern Nigeria’s airwaves for the next five years.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, characterised spectrum as an “invisible but indispensable national resource.”
He emphasised that the roadmap is not merely a technical document but a strategic tool for socio-economic inclusion.
“The Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030 is about creating a transparent, predictable, and enabling regulatory environment that supports investment, encourages innovation, and improves service quality for all Nigerians,” Maida stated.
The roadmap is anchored on four strategic pillars namely bridging the digital divide, market-driven investment, enhanced consumer experience and innovation.
A major highlight of the forum was the presentation of draft guidelines for the lower 6GHz and 60GHzfrequency bands.
These bands are slated for “licence-exempt” (unlicensed) use, meaning they will power the next generation of Wi-Fi and wireless applications without requiring traditional carrier licenses.
• The Lower 6GHz Band: This will enable Wi-Fi 6 technology, offering wider channels and faster speeds for homes, schools, and hospitals.
• The 60GHz Band (V-Band): This “multi-gigabit” band is designed for short-range, high-capacity links, ideal for smart cities and providing fiber-like speeds wirelessly to businesses.
The NCC projects that national mobile data traffic will nearly triple, rising from 11.9 exabytes in 2025 to 31.7 exabytes by 2030. To meet this demand, the Commission plans to release additional spectrum in the 450MHz and 600MHz bands—often called the “second digital dividend.”
The Executive Commissioner Technical Services (ECTS) Engr Abraham Oshadami, represented by Gidado Maigana, warned that while Nigeria has seen progress in 5G deployment, the surge in data demand from real-time applications requires “deliberate and forward-looking planning.”
“The decisions we make today will shape Nigeria’s digital trajectory for years to come,” Oshadami remarked, inviting stakeholders to provide the feedback necessary to finalize the policies.
The NCC is currently finalising the consultative process, with the roadmap expected to go into full effect by early 2026.
This policy shift is anticipated to lower the cost of data and improve the reliability of internet services across the federation.