The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new spectrum roadmap aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s broadband capacity as mobile data consumption continues to rise sharply across the country.
The Commission presented the draft Spectrum Roadmap for 2026–2030 alongside new guidelines for opening the lower 6GHz and 60GHz spectrum bands at a stakeholder event held in Abuja. The initiative is designed to attract investment and prepare Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure for rapidly growing data demand.
Data Usage in Nigeria Is Rising Fast
According to the NCC, projections from GSMA Intelligence show that average mobile data usage per connection in Nigeria is expected to increase from 5.8GB per month in 2025 to 12.0GB by 2030.
Over the same period, active mobile subscriptions are projected to grow from 171 million to about 220 million. As a result, total national mobile data traffic is forecast to rise from 11.9 exabytes in 2025 to 31.7 exabytes by 2030, equivalent to roughly 2,640 petabytes per month.
In practical terms, Nigeria’s mobile data traffic is expected to nearly triple within five years, placing significant pressure on existing network capacity.
The NCC noted that 4G networks will continue to carry most data traffic, while 5G will increasingly serve as the high-capacity layer, particularly in urban areas and enterprise corridors. These networks are expected to support data-intensive applications such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and immersive media.
Why Spectrum Expansion Matters
To sustain this growth, the NCC said Nigeria must significantly expand the amount of spectrum available for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT).
Speaking at the unveiling, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, described spectrum as a critical national resource underpinning mobile connectivity, broadband services, satellite communications, emergency networks, financial platforms, and smart technologies.
Represented by the Head of Spectrum Administration, Atiku Lawal, Maida said the draft roadmap provides a forward-looking framework designed to boost investor confidence, encourage innovation, and ensure high-quality communication services nationwide.
He added that effective spectrum planning would help reduce broadband deployment costs, extend network coverage to underserved areas, and unlock new opportunities for businesses that depend on reliable digital connectivity.
Opening the Lower 6GHz and 60GHz Bands
As part of the roadmap, the NCC confirmed plans to open the lower 6GHz and 60GHz spectrum bands to provide additional capacity for high-speed and more affordable connectivity.
According to the Commission, the move will improve Wi-Fi performance in homes, schools, businesses, and public spaces, while lowering barriers to innovation across the digital economy.
Engr Joseph Emeshili, representing the Head of Spectrum Administration, described the roadmap as a strategic blueprint for bridging the digital divide and expanding economic participation. He explained that the lower 6GHz band will unlock the full potential of Wi-Fi 6, while the 60GHz band will support multi-gigabit wireless links for advanced use cases such as smart cities, AI-powered services, and cloud computing.
Also speaking at the event, Engr Gidado Maigana, representing the NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Engr Abraham Oshadami, said improved spectrum planning is essential for meeting broadband targets, attracting investment, and keeping Nigeria competitive in the global digital economy. He added that ongoing stakeholder engagement would help strengthen the final roadmap and supporting policies.
Aligning With National Digital Goals
The NCC said the spectrum roadmap aligns with Nigeria’s broader development priorities and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to build a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Beyond terrestrial networks, the Commission is also pushing toward satellite-powered mobile connectivity as part of its long-term strategy. The roadmap positions non-terrestrial networks, including Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services, as a critical complement to traditional mobile infrastructure.
According to the NCC, D2D satellite technology is emerging globally as a viable way to deliver voice and data services directly to standard mobile handsets, especially in areas where deploying ground-based towers is difficult due to geography, security challenges, or high costs.
Taken together, the new spectrum roadmap signals a more proactive approach by the NCC to ensure Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure can support the next phase of digital growth, as data consumption, connected devices, and digital services continue to expand nationwide.
