NCC unveils IPv6 roadmap, targets 30% adoption by 2030

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a national roadmap to accelerate the adoption of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), setting a target of about 30 per cent nationwide uptake by 2030.

The strategy was unveiled in Lagos during the inauguration of the Nigeria IPv6 Council, an industry body tasked with driving implementation across government and the private sector.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, described the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 as critical to Nigeria’s digital future, warning that continued reliance on the older system could limit growth in emerging technologies.

He noted that global IPv4 addresses have largely been exhausted, while demand for internet connectivity continues to rise due to advancements in 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

Under the roadmap, at least 20 per cent of government networks are expected to become IPv6-compliant by 2027, while a minimum of 25 per cent of telecom operators are to begin active deployment. Overall adoption is projected to rise from the current level of about five per cent to 30 per cent by the end of the decade.

The newly inaugurated council will coordinate the rollout, monitor progress, and recommend policies to accelerate adoption. It is also expected to work with technical partners, including the African Network Information Centre, to address capacity gaps in network engineering.

Industry data show that Nigeria currently lags behind global averages, with IPv6 adoption at roughly five per cent compared to over 40 per cent globally. Despite many networks having obtained IPv6 allocations, only a limited number have fully deployed the protocol.

Stakeholders attribute the slow pace of adoption to factors such as infrastructure costs, limited technical expertise, and low awareness among end users. The continued functionality of IPv4 has also reduced the urgency for migration.

To address these gaps, the council plans to train additional professionals and expand technical capacity, while encouraging both public institutions and private operators to upgrade their systems to support IPv6.

The NCC said the transition is essential for scaling Nigeria’s digital economy, improving cybersecurity, and enabling next-generation technologies, stressing that coordinated action across sectors will be key to achieving the targets.