By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled plans to expand satellite-to-phone mobile connectivity to an estimated 23.3 million Nigerians as part of its Spectrum Roadmap for 2026–2030, aimed at deepening digital inclusion and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
The Commission disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a Stakeholder Engagement that brought together industry operators, regulators, equipment manufacturers, and development partners to shape Nigeria’s spectrum policy direction for the next five years.
Held at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the engagement focused on spectrum planning, allocation, and utilisation strategies to address rising demand for high-speed broadband, emerging digital services, and connectivity in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.
Central to the discussions were two key regulatory frameworks: the Guidelines for the Use of the 60 GHz Band for Multi-Gigabit Wireless Systems and the Guidelines for the Use of the Lower Part of the 6 GHz Band for Wi-Fi 6 in Nigeria. The NCC said these frameworks, alongside emerging satellite direct-to-device (D2D) technologies, are expected to unlock additional spectrum capacity, enhance network performance, and support innovative connectivity solutions, including satellite-enabled mobile access.
According to the Commission, satellite-to-phone services could play a transformative role in closing connectivity gaps, particularly for millions of Nigerians living in rural, remote, and unserved communities where traditional terrestrial networks are either limited or economically unviable.
Day One of the engagement attracted senior NCC officials, industry leaders, and international development partners. Participants included Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore, Deputy Director, Business Environment and Affairs, Huawei Nigeria; Engr. Atiku Lawal, Head, Spectrum Administration Department, NCC; Engr. Gidado Maigana Ahmed, Head, Fixed Networks and Converged Services, NCC; Mr. Abubakar Hammanyaji, Head, Spectrum Assignment, NCC; Dr. Joseph Emeshili, Head, Spectrum Planning, NCC; and Mr. Idongesit Udo, Country Lead, Digital Access Programme, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Speaking at the forum, NCC officials said the Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030 is designed to ensure efficient, transparent, and forward-looking management of spectrum resources, while providing regulatory certainty that encourages investment and innovation. They noted that effective spectrum planning is critical to expanding broadband penetration, supporting 5G deployment, enabling high-capacity wireless networks, and integrating satellite technologies into Nigeria’s connectivity ecosystem.
Industry stakeholders observed that opening up the 6 GHz and 60 GHz bands, alongside satellite-to-device solutions, would help meet Nigeria’s rapidly growing data needs across sectors such as enterprise services, smart infrastructure, education, healthcare, and emergency communications. Development partners emphasised the importance of inclusive policies that prioritise universal access and bridge the digital divide.
Participants agreed that sustained collaboration among the regulator, telecom operators, satellite service providers, equipment manufacturers, and development partners would be essential to translating spectrum policies into improved quality of service, wider coverage, and more affordable connectivity for consumers.
The NCC reaffirmed that inputs from the stakeholder engagement will inform final policy decisions under the Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030, positioning Nigeria to leverage next-generation wireless and satellite technologies, extend mobile access to millions more citizens, and enhance its competitiveness in the global digital economy.
