Telecom regulators hail Nigeria’s spectrum management initiatives

Telecommunications regulators from West Africa and the Caribbean have identified Nigeria’s spectrum management initiatives as a model to drive regional growth and innovation.

This decision emerged from a high-level meeting between the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union held recently in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting focused on aligning policy frameworks, harmonising spectrum allocation processes, and creating efficient strategies to manage the rapid expansion of telecom usage across both regions.

WATRA’s Executive Secretary, Aliyu Aboki, in a statement to The PUNCH on Sunday, described the meeting as a pivotal moment for regional cooperation.

He highlighted Nigeria’s pioneering efforts in spectrum trading and direct-to-device technology, noting that these initiatives have paved the way for economic growth and could serve as a blueprint for other nations.

“Nigeria’s efforts in these areas are paving the way for economic growth,” Aboki said. “Collaboration with the CTU will help us expand these initiatives and share their benefits across regions.”

Spectrum management, which involves regulating radio frequencies for communication services such as mobile data, television, and satellite communications, was a central topic of discussion.

Both organisations emphasised the importance of efficient spectrum allocation, given the global surge in telecom usage. Poor spectrum management, they noted, could lead to network congestion, reduced service quality, and hindered technological innovation.

The meeting also addressed broader challenges, including roaming regulation, broadband expansion, satellite services, and Internet governance. The participants underscored the importance of regional collaboration to tackle these issues effectively.

The Secretary-General of CTU, Rodney Taylor, commended Nigeria’s leadership and stressed the need for deeper cooperation.

“This visit has opened doors for deeper collaboration,” Taylor said. “We will continue to explore opportunities for joint workshops, technical exchanges, and unified approaches that benefit both regions. The collaborations between the Caribbean and West Africa are endless.”

The possibility of formalising the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding between CTU and WATRA was also discussed, with potential involvement from the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority.

WATRA’s Infrastructure Working Group Co-Chair, Dr. Joseph Emeshili, highlighted spectrum management and harmonisation initiatives within the sub-region. His presentation sparked a productive exchange of ideas, with the CTU delegation praising Nigeria’s advancements in this area.

As part of the collaboration, WATRA agreed to share Nigeria’s spectrum roadmap and national frequency allocation table with CTU.