NCC rolls out five-year spectrum roadmap to close Nigeria’s digital divide

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a public consultation on its Draft Spectrum Roadmap 2025–2030 alongside a proposed regulatory framework for the 60GHz band, signalling a major push to modernise Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and widen access to high-speed internet.

Announced on December 19, 2025, the initiative is designed to align Nigeria’s telecommunications policies with global best practice while tackling persistent connectivity gaps across the country.

The five-year roadmap provides a strategic framework for managing the radio frequency spectrum, often described as the invisible highway that carries digital data. At its core is the goal of bridging Nigeria’s digital divide by expanding broadband access to underserved and rural communities.

The strategy also prioritises support for next-generation technologies by optimising spectrum use for 5G deployment, the Internet of Things and advanced satellite services. In addition, the NCC aims to stimulate economic growth by attracting foreign investment through more flexible licensing regimes and by encouraging innovation across the sector. Improving quality of service remains a key objective, with a focus on enhancing the reliability and speed of mobile and data services nationwide.

Alongside the roadmap, the Commission has proposed a framework for the 60GHz licence-exempt band, covering frequencies between 57 and 66GHz. The proposal seeks to enable multi-gigabit data speeds for both enterprise and residential users by allowing short-range, high-capacity systems to operate without individual licences. The NCC says this approach will support high-speed Wi-Fi and fixed wireless access, while delivering cost-effective connectivity solutions for densely populated urban areas as well as remote locations.

In line with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the NCC is inviting telecommunications operators, equipment manufacturers and consumer groups to review and provide input on the draft documents. Submissions are to be made electronically to the Commission by Friday, January 16, 2026.

As radio spectrum increasingly underpins the modern digital economy, the NCC has stressed that collaborative engagement in refining these policies is critical to sustaining competition and improving the quality of service for Nigerians nationwide.