Nigeria is aiming to expand internet access to 230 million subscriptions by 2030 through a strategic focus on 5G network densification, Internet of Things adoption, and satellite connectivity, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The 2026–2030 spectrum roadmap, guided by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, is designed to transform the country’s digital infrastructure from basic connectivity to a high-capacity, multi-layered ecosystem capable of serving a projected population of 245 million. Central to the plan is extending 5G coverage in urban centres, industrial hubs, and underserved regions, with the Commission targeting minimum nationwide data speeds under its ‘Quality of Experience’ initiative. Additional spectrum releases in the mid-band, including 3.5 GHz and 6 GHz, and high-band 26 GHz allocations are expected to provide the bandwidth necessary for advanced 5G services.
To bridge Nigeria’s persistent digital divide, the Nigerian Communications Commission is prioritising non-terrestrial networks and direct-to-device satellite services to reach 87 unserved or underserved clusters, affecting roughly 23 million citizens. Satellite-to-mobile technology is expected to deliver connectivity to areas where fibre-optic infrastructure is difficult or costly to install, ensuring even remote communities are integrated into the national network.
The roadmap anticipates monthly mobile data usage per user to rise from 8.5 gigabytes in 2025 to 17.7 gigabytes by 2030, fuelled by video streaming, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things applications. The Nigerian Communications Commission plans to allocate spectrum for smart cities, industrial automation, and autonomous vehicles while introducing a general authorisation framework and regulatory sandboxes to allow innovators to test new technologies without full-scale licensing constraints.
Key milestones include auctioning the 3.5GHz TDD spectrum and licensing the upper 6GHz band in 2027; full licensing of the 26GHz band and an independent spectrum audit in 2028; and a nationwide fibre-optic rollout targeting 90,000 kilometres of cable by 2030.
The Nigerian Communications Commission said the roadmap is intended not only to manage telecommunications but also to link spectrum deployment to broader economic transformation, providing regulatory certainty to attract private investment and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a digital hub in Africa.
