This paper presents a novel approach, based on the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), for channel estimation in wireless communication systems. The proposed method provides a means to accurately estimate the wireless channel, while not requiring the statistical characteristics of the channel. This method uses the WOA to search for the best channel statistical characteristics toward the ultimate goal of having the smallest bit error rate (BER). The proposed approach is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of pilot-based OFDM systems under frequency-selective fading channels used in the performance testing of 5G New Radio gNodeB. In terms of BER and mean square error (MSE), the performance of the proposed WOA-based channel estimation algorithm is evaluated and compared with the conventional least square (LS) and minimum mean square error (MMSE) algorithms. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides highly competitive performance over the MMSE algorithm and significantly outperforms the LS algorithm in a variety of system configurations. Since the requirement on prior channel statistics information makes the MMSE algorithm impractical or extremely complex, the proposed WOA-based channel estimation algorithm should be a suitable and promising candidate for dealing with channel estimation problems. The simulation framework is implemented in MATLAB and available upon request.