The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced consultative engagements with key industry stakeholders aimed at opening new spectrum bands to support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s aspiration for a $1 trillion digital economy.
The engagements focus on three major initiatives: the development of the Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030, guidelines for opening the lower 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6 deployment, and guidelines for opening the 60GHz licence-exempt band for multi-gigabit wireless systems.
Speaking at the opening of the Consultative Forum held on Monday at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Wada Maida, said rising demand for spectrum has made its availability critical to Nigeria’s accelerated economic growth and expansion. He was represented at the event by the Head of Spectrum Administration, Engr Atiku Lawal.
Dr Maida explained that the forum was designed to provide a platform for robust stakeholder deliberations that would help shape Nigeria’s digital future. He noted that the proposed frameworks reflect the NCC’s commitment to building an inclusive, innovative, resilient, and future-ready communications ecosystem.
“At the heart of our sector lies an essential national resource: spectrum. Though invisible, it is indispensable,” he said. “It powers mobile communications, broadband, satellite services, emergency communications, financial platforms, smart technologies, and every digital interaction Nigerians rely on daily.”
He stressed that spectrum is a finite resource, even as demand continues to grow rapidly due to data-intensive applications, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and expanding digital services across the economy. According to him, these developments require smarter planning and more flexible regulatory approaches.
According to The Nations news report, Dr Maida said the Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030 was developed to deliver faster speeds, wider coverage, improved service quality, stronger innovation, and greater digital inclusion. He added that opening the new bands would attract increased investment and prepare Nigeria for future data demands across homes, campuses, businesses, healthcare facilities, and public spaces.
In his keynote address, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr Abraham Oshadami, said effective spectrum management must be anchored on transparency, prudence, and collaboration. Represented by the Head of Fixed Networks and Converged Services, Engr Maigana Gidado, Oshadami noted that how spectrum is planned, assigned, and regulated will determine Nigeria’s ability to stimulate innovation and enhance global competitiveness.
He expressed confidence that the new spectrum openings would further improve mobile broadband penetration, accelerate 5G rollout, and enhance quality of service across Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.
