Can Nigeria’s New Spectrum Roadmap Truly Deliver Faster, Fairer Digital Connectivity?
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a national spectrum roadmap for 2026–2030, a policy move it says will shape the country’s digital future through transparency, predictability and more efficient regulation of spectrum resources.
The roadmap, alongside new guidelines for opening the lower 6-gigahertz (GHz) and 60-GHz licence-exempt bands, is being positioned as a critical intervention to improve the quality of telecommunications services across Nigeria and prepare the country for rising data demands.
The initiative was announced on Monday in Abuja by Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman (EVC) of the NCC, during a stakeholders’ consultation forum on spectrum planning. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Maida said the roadmap encompasses both the 2026–2030 spectrum plan and guidelines for opening the two high-capacity frequency bands, which are increasingly important for next-generation wireless connectivity.
Represented at the event by Atiku Lawal, head of spectrum administration at the NCC, Maida said the measures were designed to address long-standing challenges in service quality while supporting Nigeria’s broader digital ambitions. “Our national ambitions are growing. We want faster speeds, wider coverage, better service quality, stronger innovation and greater inclusion,” he said. “This roadmap creates a transparent, predictable regulatory environment supporting investment, encouraging innovation, expanding access and improving service quality for all Nigerians.”
Spectrum management lies at the heart of any modern digital economy. Although largely invisible to consumers, radio frequencies enable virtually all forms of wireless communication, from mobile phone calls and broadband internet to satellite services, broadcasting and emergency response systems. As Nigeria’s population grows and digital services become more central to daily life, pressure on available spectrum has intensified.
“Spectrum is behind everything digital we do. Though invisible, it is indispensable to mobile, broadband, satellite, emergency and smart technologies,” Maida said. He added that every video call, online class, digital transaction and connected device in Nigeria depends on access to spectrum. In this context, the NCC’s roadmap is not just a technical document but a strategic plan that will influence how Nigerians communicate, learn, do business and access public services over the next decade.
One of the most significant aspects of the roadmap is the proposed opening of the lower 6-GHz and 60-GHz bands for licence-exempt use. Globally, these bands are seen as essential for expanding high-speed wireless networks, particularly advanced Wi-Fi technologies capable of delivering faster speeds and lower latency. According to the NCC, making these bands more accessible will create additional capacity for data transmission and help decongest existing networks.
Maida said the guidelines would “create new capacity for high-speed, affordable and reliable connectivity.” This is particularly relevant in urban centres, university campuses, hospitals and business districts, where the demand for data often overwhelms current infrastructure. Licence-exempt spectrum can also lower entry barriers for smaller internet service providers and technology startups, potentially increasing competition and innovation in the sector.
Beyond speed and capacity, the roadmap is also framed as an investment signal. Predictable spectrum policies allow telecommunications operators to plan network expansion, upgrade infrastructure and deploy new technologies with greater certainty. In Nigeria, where policy inconsistency and regulatory uncertainty have sometimes slowed investment, a clearly defined spectrum roadmap could help restore investor confidence.
However, the success of the roadmap will depend heavily on implementation. Nigeria’s telecom sector has long struggled with issues that extend beyond spectrum availability, including high right-of-way charges, multiple taxation by different levels of government, unreliable power supply and insecurity in some regions. While improved spectrum planning can enhance network performance, these structural challenges continue to limit the reach and quality of services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The NCC has repeatedly stated its commitment to bridging the digital divide, but disparities in access remain stark. Urban areas generally enjoy better coverage and faster internet speeds, while many rural communities still lack reliable connectivity. The roadmap’s emphasis on inclusion suggests an awareness of this gap, but translating policy intent into tangible outcomes will require coordinated action across government agencies and the private sector.
Also speaking at the forum, Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner for technical services at the NCC, stressed that spectrum resources must serve every community. He said the engagement “reaffirms our commitment to expanding wireless broadband through foresight, fairness and national development goals.” His remarks highlight a key policy question: how to ensure that spectrum allocation supports not just commercial interests but also broader social and developmental objectives.
There are also technical considerations. Opening licence-exempt bands increases the risk of interference if not properly managed. The NCC will need robust monitoring systems and clear technical standards to ensure that different users can coexist without degrading service quality. Effective enforcement will be crucial to maintaining trust in the regulatory framework.
Nevertheless, stakeholders have welcomed the consultative approach adopted by the NCC. By engaging operators, industry experts and other stakeholders early in the process, the commission appears to be seeking consensus and reducing the likelihood of disputes that have accompanied previous spectrum allocations.
As Nigeria pushes towards a more digital economy—driven by e-commerce, digital financial services, online education and e-government—the importance of efficient spectrum management cannot be overstated. The 2026–2030 spectrum roadmap represents an attempt to anticipate future needs rather than react to crises after they emerge.
Whether the roadmap will truly deliver faster, fairer and more reliable connectivity will depend on sustained political will, regulatory consistency and the ability to address long-standing structural barriers. For now, the NCC’s initiative marks a significant policy moment, one that could shape how millions of Nigerians experience the digital world in the years ahead.
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