The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC has released a Draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period from 2025 to 2030, outlining a strategic plan to guide the management and allocation of radio frequency spectrum in Nigeria over the next five years. The roadmap is designed to align spectrum policy with the National Broadband Plan and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy NDEPS, with the overarching goal of promoting inclusive digital growth and long-term economic development.
Central to the roadmap are four strategic pillars that will shape future spectrum decisions. The first focuses on bridging the digital divide by prioritising universal access, particularly for an estimated 23 million Nigerians living in 87 identified unserved and underserved clusters. The second pillar emphasises market-driven investment, with flexible policies aimed at meeting the evolving needs of industry players while tracking emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things IoT and satellite direct-to-device connectivity.
The third pillar targets an improved quality of experience for consumers by setting minimum thresholds for data download speeds and enhancing overall Quality of Service QoS across both urban and rural areas by 2030. The fourth pillar promotes innovation through the introduction of regulatory sandboxes and a general authorisation framework that will allow new ideas and technologies-such as autonomous vehicles and advanced space services-to be tested within a controlled regulatory environment.
