As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and accelerate the country’s push towards a $1 trillion digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new Spectrum Roadmap for 2026–2030, alongside draft guidelines for opening the lower 6GHz and 60GHz bands.

Stakeholders in the telecommunications sector on Monday converged in Abuja for the Consultative Forum on the Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030 and the Guidelines for Opening the Lower 6GHz and 60GHz Bands, where the Commission presented the proposed policy frameworks and sought industry input.

Speaking at the Forum, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, described spectrum as an invisible but indispensable national resource that powers mobile communications, broadband networks, satellite services, financial platforms and smart technologies across the country.

Represented by the Head of Spectrum Administration, Engr Atiku Lawal, the EVC said rising demand driven by data-intensive applications, cloud services, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things has made forward-looking spectrum planning inevitable.

“The Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030 is about creating a transparent, predictable and enabling regulatory environment that supports investment, encourages innovation, expands access and improves service quality for all Nigerians,” Maida said.

He explained that the roadmap is designed to give industry players confidence to invest and the flexibility to innovate, while ensuring that Nigeria’s digital growth remains inclusive, sustainable and aligned with national development priorities.

On the draft guidelines, Maida said the proposed opening of the lower 6GHz band for Wi-Fi 6 and the 60GHz licence-exempt band for multi-gigabit wireless systems marks a bold step towards expanding spectrum available for unlicensed use.

“These bands will significantly expand the spectrum available for high-speed, affordable and reliable connectivity, enabling faster Wi-Fi and innovative services across homes, schools, businesses, healthcare facilities and public spaces,” he noted.

The EVC added that with Wi-Fi carrying a large share of global internet traffic, opening the new bands would help Nigeria prepare for future data demands, not only on mobile networks but also across campuses, enterprises and public infrastructure.

Linking the initiative to national policy, he said the roadmap and guidelines support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.

In a keynote address delivered by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr Abraham Oshadami, he said the engagement reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that spectrum resources benefit every community.

Represented by the Head of Fixed Networks and Converged Services at the NCC, Engr Gidado Maigana, Oshadami described spectrum as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy and a scarce national asset that must be managed with transparency, prudence and collaboration.

“The way we plan, assign and regulate spectrum will determine our ability to achieve national targets, stimulate innovation and strengthen global competitiveness,” Oshadami stated.

While acknowledging progress in mobile broadband penetration, 5G deployment and quality of service, he warned that rising data demand from fixed wireless access, real-time applications and emerging technologies requires deliberate and forward-looking planning.

He said the Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030 provides clarity, predictability and transparency, while aligning spectrum management with national priorities such as bridging the digital divide, enhancing quality of experience, promoting innovation and encouraging market-driven investment.

On the opening of the lower 6GHz and 60GHz bands, Oshadami said the move would help ease congestion on existing Wi-Fi bands, with the lower 6GHz offering wider channels and higher data rates, and the 60GHz band enabling multi-gigabit wireless connectivity for advanced use cases.

According to him, the draft guidelines clearly outline deployment scenarios, power limits, interference mitigation measures and compliance frameworks to ensure efficient and safe use of the bands.

Both speakers stressed that the success of the proposed frameworks would depend on sustained collaboration with industry stakeholders, noting that feedback from the consultative process would shape the final policies.

“The decisions we make today will shape Nigeria’s digital trajectory for years to come,” Oshadami remarked.