Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC or the Commission) recently stated at a public event that the Commission will soon unveil a five-year National Spectrum Roadmap, titled the “Spectrum Management and Allocation Blueprint (2025–2030)”. The roadmap is expected to serve as a strategic framework for the allocation, management, and optimisation of Nigeria’s finite radio-frequency spectrum resources, ensuring their effective use to support national digital transformation and connectivity goals. [1] According to him, this initiative is intended to strengthen broadband quality, expand internet connectivity nationwide, accelerate 4G densification, support 5G rollout beyond major urban centres, and position Nigeria to meet its broadband penetration targets under the National Broadband Plan 2020–2025 (the NBP). [2] The EVC/CEO described spectrum as the “invisible highway” that carries data between telecom infrastructure and users’ devices, likening it to a multilane road network whose lanes must be used efficiently to avoid congestion.
However, it is worth noting that the NBP had originally set a target for the development of the National Spectrum Roadmap by the last quarter of 2020. [3] According to the NBP, the roadmap was intended to address emerging opportunities and challenges in radio spectrum management over a three to five-year horizon. [4] It was expected to identify future technological trends and evolving standards, assess their implications for spectrum policy and planning, establish mechanisms for monitoring implementation, and ensure the periodic review and publication of the spectrum plan and the national frequency allocation table ideally on an annual basis. [5] The overarching goal of this initiative is to ensure that sufficient spectrum resources are available to meet the growing demand for ubiquitous wireless broadband while providing long-term strategic guidance to operators on technology deployment and capital investment planning. [6]
Nonetheless, the significance of this roadmap lies in its forward-looking and structured approach: rather than ad hoc assignments of frequency bands, the Commission intends to project Nigeria’s spectrum needs over a five-year horizon, align with global standards (via the International Telecommunication Union) and strengthen regulatory processes so that spectrum is actively used rather than left idle. Through this roadmap, issues such as fragmented frequency holdings, under-utilised allocations, and dormant spectrum assets will be addressed. As Maida noted: “We’ve seen cases where spectrum was assigned but not used optimally. We are correcting that through spectrum trading, encouraging operators to lease or sell unused spectrum to those who can deploy it more efficiently.” [7]
This regulatory reform agenda represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of a robust and inclusive digital economy. The National Spectrum Roadmap, with its forward-looking perspective, is designed to anticipate and adapt to emerging technological trends and evolving global standards. In doing so, it creates new opportunities for space service operators to play a pivotal role in expanding broadband coverage and bridging connectivity gaps. The roadmap will enable the development of hybrid service models such as satellite backhaul for rural towers, satellite-assisted 5G deployment in underserved and unserved regions, and the integration of direct-to-handset Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) services. These innovations not only strengthen network resilience and reach but also facilitate the efficient use of spectrum across multiple access technologies.
For operators and investors, the roadmap will provide regulatory clarity and predictability, two factors essential for long-term capital planning. By promoting efficient and transparent spectrum allocation, the policy reduces uncertainty and strengthens investor confidence, thereby improving the business case for network expansion and infrastructure investment. Equally, the roadmap’s consumer-oriented focus ensures that the broader benefits of digital connectivity; availability, affordability, and reliability are progressively realised. By aligning spectrum policy with national broadband goals, the initiative is expected to extend quality connectivity to rural and semi-urban communities, narrow the digital divide, and accelerate socio-economic inclusion across Nigeria.
[1] Frank Eleanya, ‘Nigeria’s NCC to roll out 5-year spectrum roadmap in November for faster internet’ (21 October 2025) <https://techcabal.com/2025/10/21/nigerias-ncc-set-to-launch-5-year-spectrum-plan-next-month/?utm_source=chatgpt.com> accessed 26 October 2025.
[2] Royal Ibeh, ‘Telecom regulator targets 5-year spectrum blueprint aims to fix legacy inefficiencies, unlock idle capacity’ (21 October 2025) <https://businessday.ng/technology/article/telecom-regulator-targets-5-year-spectrum-blueprint-aims-to-fix-legacyinefficiencies-unlock-idle-capacity/?utm_source=chatgpt.com> accessed 27 October 2025.
[3] Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE), ‘Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025’ (March 2020) <https://ncc.gov.ng/sites/default/files/2024-11/Documents/Nigerian_National_Broadband_Plan_2020-2025.pdf> accessed 27 October 2025, p. 55.
[4] ibid.
[5] ibid.
[6] ibid.
[7] Ibeh (n 2).
--
Read the full publication at Streamsowers & Kӧhn
