The Nigerian Communications Commission has unveiled a draft Spectrum Roadmap for 2026–2030 alongside new guidelines for opening the lower 6GHz and 60GHz spectrum bands, signaling a major policy move aimed at expanding broadband access, attracting investment, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy.
The roadmap was presented on Monday in Abuja, where the NCC described spectrum as a strategic national resource that underpins mobile connectivity, broadband services, satellite communications, emergency response systems, financial platforms, and emerging smart technologies. The Commission said the new framework reflects the growing importance of efficient spectrum management as data demand rises across sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the launch, the NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, said spectrum remains central to Nigeria’s digital transformation ambitions, particularly as the country increasingly depends on reliable connectivity to support commerce, innovation, and public services. He noted that long-term planning is necessary to ensure that spectrum allocation keeps pace with technological change and national development needs.
Representing the EVC, the Head of Spectrum Administration, Atiku Lawal, explained that the draft roadmap is designed to provide a clear and forward-looking framework that builds investor confidence, supports innovation, and guarantees quality communication services nationwide. He said the Commission expects the initiatives to stimulate broadband investment, expand digital infrastructure, and create employment opportunities as Nigeria positions itself to meet rising data consumption and global competitiveness benchmarks.
Lawal added that improved spectrum planning will help reduce the cost of broadband deployment, encourage network expansion into underserved and rural areas, and unlock opportunities for businesses that rely heavily on digital connectivity. He noted that increasing demand for spectrum, driven by data-intensive applications, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, makes smarter planning and more flexible regulation essential.
According to the Commission, the opening of the lower 6GHz and 60GHz spectrum bands will provide additional capacity for high-speed, affordable, and reliable connectivity, particularly for Wi-Fi services in homes, schools, offices, and public spaces. The NCC said expanded access to unlicensed spectrum will lower barriers to innovation, support the rollout of new digital services, and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from more affordable and stable internet access.
Also speaking at the event, an NCC official described the roadmap as more than a technical document, noting that it serves as a strategic blueprint for bridging the digital divide, expanding economic participation, and making reliable connectivity accessible to more Nigerians, including those in rural communities. The Commission explained that the lower 6GHz band will support the full capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, while the 60GHz band will enable multi-gigabit wireless links for advanced use cases such as smart infrastructure, cloud-based services, and data-driven applications.
The NCC further noted that effective spectrum planning is critical for meeting national broadband targets, attracting long-term investment, and ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital economy. It said stakeholder engagement will play a key role in refining the final roadmap and ensuring that spectrum policies balance innovation, service quality, and affordability.
The Commission said the roadmap aligns with national development priorities and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, supporting the administration’s goal of building a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030 through improved connectivity, digital inclusion, and private sector growth.
