…Target 90% Broadband Coverage by 2030
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially unveiled its Spectrum Roadmap for 2026–2030, a strategic blueprint designed to revolutionize the nation’s digital landscape and lower broadband deployment cost over the next five years.
The five year spectrum plan was unveiled alongside new guidelines for opening the lower 6GHz and 60GHz spectrum bands, as part of efforts to expand broadband access, drive investment, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.
Speaking at the launch on Monday in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized that spectrum is a critical national resource underpinning mobile connectivity, broadband services, satellite communications, emergency networks, financial platforms, and smart technologies.
Representing the EVC, Head of Spectrum Administration, Atiku Lawal, said the roadmap is designed to provide a forward-looking framework that instills investor confidence, encourages innovation, and ensures quality communication services across the country.
“The initiatives are expected to stimulate broadband investment, expand digital infrastructure, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy as the country positions itself to meet rising data demand and global competitiveness targets,” he added.
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Lawal highlighted that effective spectrum planning will reduce broadband deployment costs, encourage network expansion into underserved areas, and unlock opportunities for businesses that rely on digital connectivity. He noted that demand for spectrum is rising rapidly due to data-intensive applications, artificial intelligence, cloud services, and the Internet of Things, requiring smarter planning and flexible regulation.
The NCC said opening the lower 6GHz and 60GHz bands will provide new capacity for high-speed, affordable, and reliable connectivity, particularly for Wi-Fi in homes, schools, businesses, and public spaces. “Expanded access to unlicensed spectrum will lower barriers to innovation, support new digital services, and enable SMEs to leverage affordable connectivity for growth,” Lawal said.
Representing the Head of Spectrum Administration, Engr. Joseph Emeshili described the roadmap as more than a technical document, calling it a strategic blueprint to bridge the digital divide, expand economic participation, and make reliable connectivity accessible to all Nigerians, including rural communities. He added that the lower 6GHz band will enable the full potential of Wi-Fi 6, while the 60GHz band will support multi-gigabit wireless links for advanced applications such as AI, cloud computing, and smart cities.
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 Engr. 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 roadmap prioritizes the deployment of high-frequency bands to support 5G densification and early 6G trials, while simultaneously addressing the ‘digital divide’ by making high-speed broadband more affordable for rural communities. NCC also emphasized that the plan is central to achieving the Ministry’s target of 90% internet penetration by the end of the decade.
