The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is now working on direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity in new roadmap from 2025 t0 2030. The new plan is to restrategise for a new broadband target as the country failed to meet the 70 percent broadband target set for 2025. The second National Broadband Plan, 2020-2025, which expired in the first day of January 2026, had set a 70 percent broadband reach across Nigeria, but statistics from the Nigerian NCC have shown that the country is currently 19.42 percent away from hitting that target as the latest penetration sits at 50.58 per cent.
Analysis from NCC data showed that from January to November 2025, Nigeria was only able to expand broadband by 4.97 percent within the last 11 months, having entered 2025 with 45.61 percent penetration and by last month (latest subscription data), it had reached only 50.58 per cent. Given the trajectory of growth, which has been slow, it is certain that the 70 percent mark is now off the radar, even when the last data for 2025 are released. As such, Nigeria appears to be preparing for another five-year plan, which is expected to boost the current efforts of the Federal Government in expanding Internet connectivity across the country. Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, had confirmed “the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), which expires this year (2025), by the way, we have already begun engaging our Ministry on a third iteration.”
Meanwhile, attention is fast shifting towards satellite-powered mobile connectivity in the country. The NCC, which is promoting this new narrative, is examining Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite service, viewed as a key technology for expanding coverage between 2025 and 2030. This is part of the draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector (2025–2030) published by the Commission.
In the 44-page document, the NCC’s roadmap positions non-terrestrial networks as a critical complement to traditional mobile infrastructure, particularly in a country where millions remain underserved by terrestrial networks due to geography, security challenges, and high deployment costs. Recall that earlier in the year, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, had disclosed that some 4,834 communities, mostly in rural areas, lacked access to basic mobile connectivity.
In April 2025, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) informed that in 2013, the number of people living in unserved and underserved areas amounted to 36.8 million and fell to 23 million by last year. Secretary of USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, said these 23 million unserved/underserved people are housed in over 3000 communities, predominantly in rural areas, and still lack basic mobile connectivity. Indeed, to NCC, Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services are emerging globally as a viable way to deliver voice and data services directly to standard mobile handsets without the need for ground-based towers.
“In Nigeria, D2D connectivity could play a transformative role by extending voice and data coverage to signal blackspots, vast rural, riverine, and border communities currently beyond the reach of mobile towers. “It would also strengthen network resilience, serving as a fallback during fibre cuts, power outages, or emergencies that disrupt terrestrial networks,” rhe commission said. NCC noted that beyond consumer use, D2D adoption could enhance public safety, disaster response, Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, and smart agriculture in underserved areas.
The document also pointed to new investment opportunities through collaboration between mobile network operators (MNOs) and satellite providers, particularly via shared spectrum usage to improve efficiency in Nigeria’s national spectrum management. The NCC’s roadmap also places strong emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites as a tool for bridging Nigeria’s broadband gap. NCDMB launches 2025/26 innovation challenge for oil, energy solutions. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has launched the Nigerian Content Research, Innovation and Technology Challenge 2025/2026, calling on innovators, research institutions, academia, oil and gas service providers and the general public to submit technology-driven proposals aimed at solving key industry challenges.
The initiative, which commenced in December 2025, seeks to identify, nurture and commercialise home-grown innovations across the oil and gas sector and its linkage industries. Successful applicants will be admitted into the NCDMB Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre (TIIC) located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. According to the board, submitted proposals must align with approved thematic areas and priority industry needs. These include Geological and Geophysical Studies, Local Materials Substitution, Technology Development, Health, Safety and Environment, Engineering Studies and Renewable Energy.
For geological and geophysical studies, the focus is on solutions related to exploration, big data and real-time logging data processing. Local materials substitution proposals are expected to address sustainable materials for environmental remediation, cryogenic technology for liquefied natural gas, LNG, refining applications and ultra-high temperature cementing. In technology development, the board is seeking innovations in digitalisation, Internet of Things applications for exploration and production, and condensate refining.
Health, safety and environmental proposals are to cover carbon capture, utilisation and storage, produced water management, depollution technologies and hydrogen production.
Engineering-focused entries should address enhanced oil recovery, refinery efficiency, laboratory analytical equipment, drilling technology, instrumentation and control systems. Renewable energy proposals are expected in solar and wind technologies, as well as energy storage solutions such as batteries, hydrogen and thermal storage.
The board said proposals, limited to 1,500 words, should be submitted within one month of publication. From the entries, 30 proposals will be shortlisted for mentorship, narrowed to 10 in the second stage and five finalists at the final pitch. The top five winners will receive cash prizes, mentorship and media exposure, while the top 10 participants will be onboarded into the TIIC for further support toward commercialisation.
