by George Ozalla
The Nigerian Communications Commission has said Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of newly approved spectrum bands before the end of 2026 as the country intensifies efforts to expand broadband capacity, improve service quality and deepen the digital economy.
The Commission disclosed this during a two-day Consultative Forum on the development of Nigeria’s Spectrum Roadmap for 2026 to 2030 held at the Digital Economy Complex in Mbora, Abuja, where industry stakeholders gathered to review future spectrum planning and deployment.
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, the Head of Spectrum Administration at the NCC, Atiku Lawal, explained that the ongoing work on spectrum allocation is designed to address rising demand for data services, reduce network congestion and support the deployment of next-generation technologies across the country.
He said the Commission is working towards opening up additional spectrum bands, including portions of the lower 6GHz band for enhanced Wi-Fi services and the 60GHz band for licence-exempt, high-capacity wireless systems. According to him, these spectrum resources will enable operators to deliver faster data speeds, improved connectivity and more reliable services to consumers and businesses.
Lawal noted that spectrum remains a critical national asset that underpins mobile communications, broadband services, satellite systems and emerging digital applications, adding that efficient management of the resource is essential to sustaining growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
He explained that while deployment timelines depend on operators’ investment decisions and rollout strategies, the experience from previous spectrum releases suggests that Nigerians are likely to start experiencing tangible improvements in service delivery before the end of 2026.
The NCC official said the expected impact includes wider broadband coverage, better quality of service, increased digital inclusion and stronger support for innovation in sectors such as finance, education, healthcare and commerce. He added that expanded spectrum availability would also encourage investment in infrastructure, generate employment opportunities and contribute to national economic growth.
The consultative forum, he said, forms part of the Commission’s broader commitment to transparent regulation and inclusive stakeholder engagement, ensuring that Nigeria’s spectrum planning aligns with global best practices and national development priorities.
The Nigerian Communications Commission is the statutory regulator of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, responsible for licensing operators, managing spectrum resources and promoting competition and consumer protection within the sector.
