Radio Monitoring & Survey

Radio Monitoring and Inspection Survey Department came into existence as full department of the Ministry on 16th August 2018, following the unbundling and restructuring of the old Spectrum Management Department in order for the Ministry to effectively perform one of her cardinal mandates of monitoring the radio frequency spectrum to stem irregular and illegal use of scarce radio spectrum resources.
Radio Monitoring is one of the processes of investigating electromagnetic activities within the frontiers of the country’s radio spectrum and, therefore, an indispensable aspect of Spectrum Management. It is one of the ways of enforcing checks and controls on the users of the spectrum. It is also a vital element of planning frequency allocation. Therefore, effective radio spectrum monitoring minimizes the incidences of harmful interference by spectrum users, enhances the security of lives and properties and revenue generation for government.
In order to effectively carry out the function of radio monitoring, inspection of premises that have radiocommunication installations, and survey of maritime vessels and aircrafts, International Radio Monitoring Stations (IRMS) of the Ministry were upgraded to International Radio Monitoring, Inspection and Survey Centres (IRMI & SC) when the old Spectrum Management Department was unbundled in 2018.
Some key functions:
a. Routine and Regular Monitoring of Radio Frequency Spectrum
RM&S is constantly deploying the most recent and best radio monitoring technologies to detect illegal users of radio frequency spectrum and to ensure strict compliance with national and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards and specifications.
The objective of radio spectrum monitoring is to ensure that users of radio frequency spectrum and operators of radiocommunication equipment experience minimum or do not suffer from harmful interference from within or outside the country.
The Department periodically monitors radio spectrum used by private, non-commercial and commercial radiocommunications across the country’s national borders in order to identify security threat from neighbouring countries and eliminate cross boarder harmful interferences using the available resources at the International Radio Monitoring, Inspection and Survey Centres (IRMI & SC) located at different geographical locations across the country.
b. Inspection and Survey Activities
The Department performs regular inspection of premises that have radiocommunication installations nationwide as well as survey of radiocommunication and associated radio frequency-based equipment installations on board ships and aircrafts to ensure that appropriate licences are obtained before frequency spectrum and radiocommunication equipment are used.
c. Test of Radiocommunication Equipment, and Measurement of Signals and Equipment Parameters
Type Approval Testing and Measurements are performed in the Department’s state-of-the-art Laboratory in order to ensure that radiocommunication equipment parameters are in compliance with national and international standards. The Laboratory also carries out the measurement of radio signal to ensure that their levels are within tolerable and safe limits.
d. Other Activities
The Department also performs other functions in line with her mandate through workshops, seminars, and roadshows to sensitize members of the public on the dangers of using the radio frequency spectrum without appropriate licences. It also carries out other administrative and policy related duties for the private non-commercial radiocommunication sector in Nigeria.

DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE
The Department consists of one Directorate with two (2) Divisions. The Director/Head of Department supervises the personnel and oversees the operations and activities that are carried out in the Department to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. The National Spectrum Control Centre (NSCC) is under the direct supervision of the Director. Deputy Directors head the Divisions while Assistant Directors head the Sections/Units including the various IRMI & SC.
The two (2) Divisions and their various Sections as well as IRMI & SC are described as;
1. Radio Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement;
This Division is responsible for carrying out routine and regular monitoring duties as well as attending to all interference complaints (national and
international) and taking adequate measures to resolve them in a timely manner.
The Division is also tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that frequency spectrum users obtain appropriate licences from the Ministry and that licenced stations do not operate outside their operating parameters.
The Division equally carry out signal audit around base stations and transmitter sites to ensure that their emission levels are within tolerable and safe limits.
The Division is made up of the IRMI & SC and the following Sections/Units:
 Radio Monitoring:
o IRMI & SC – Abuja
o IRMI & SC – Azare
o IRMI & SC – Gusau
o IRMI & SC – Ipaja
o IRMI & SC – Ogoja
o National Spectrum Control Centre – Abuja
 Technical Standards and Measurements
 Inspection, Survey and Interference Resolution
2. Infrastructure Development;
The Infrastructure Development Division carries out needs assessment for adoption of new and emerging technologies that would enhance Radio Monitoring systems and activities as well as provision of required infrastructure of the Department at the Headquarters and various locations and Centres in the Country.
The Division also initiates, propose, plan, conceptualize all aspects of the Department’s developed strategies for implementation of new ideas or innovations and conduct appropriate research in areas of Radio Monitoring that need improvements or pose a challenge to effective Radio Monitoring activity in Nigeria. It equally carry out joint supervision, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of projects of the Departments.
The Division consists of the following Sections/Units:
 Project Design and Development
 Budget and Planning