Nigeria Accelerates IPv6 Adoption With Inaugurated Council
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the formation of a new board for the Nigerian Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) Council, signaling a renewed commitment to transitioning the country’s internet infrastructure.
Mohammad Rudman, CEO of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), will retain his position as chairman. The move comes amid rising demand for internet access, increasing smartphone usage, and a need for more IP addresses in Nigeria.
Strategic Imperative
The transition to IPv6 is seen as essential for Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic competitiveness. According to Rudman, the council will focus on:
- Supporting emerging technologies like 5G and IoT
- Promoting economic diversification
- Enhancing security and performance compared to older systems
The new board includes representatives from key industry stakeholders such as NITDA, ATCON, NIRA, ALTON, ISPON, and NgREN. Veteran tech leaders Chris Uwaje and Latif Ladidi will serve as advisors.
Addressing the Urgency
Nigeria’s IPv6 adoption rate currently stands at around 5%, lagging behind other emerging markets like Saudi Arabia, India, and Gabon where usage has surpassed 40%. This gap underscores the need for accelerated action as IPv4 becomes increasingly obsolete.
Latest data shows Nigerians consumed a record 1.4 million terabytes of internet traffic in March 2026 alone, highlighting the growing demand that IPv6 is expected to address.
Council Priorities
The new council will focus on:
- Raising awareness about IPv6 benefits
- Providing technical training for network engineers
- Developing a national IPv6 strategy and monitoring adoption
- Addressing rollout challenges and recommending regulatory support
With this renewed commitment, Nigeria aims to unlock the full potential of its digital economy by embracing the next generation of internet protocol.