The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, on Sunday in Abuja said that it would soon deploy the Five Generation network (5G) in Nigeria for increased connectivity.
The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said this when he featured on NAN Forum, a special News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) interview programme.
The minister said that the decision to deploy the 5G network followed an outcome of thorough investigations, research and trial absolving it from posing security or health hazards.
According to him, the work on the national policy on 5G stands at 95 per cent done and most of our position will be part of the policy which will be presented at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in due course.
Pantami, who emphasised that the primary concern of government was to ensure security and welfare of Nigerians, even in their activities in the telecommunication sector, blamed the delay in deploying the 5G network on conspiracy theory.
NAN recalls that there were concerns that COVID-19 was associated with the deployment of 5G communication network.
Pantami, however, said, “our government is a listening one, so we listen to constructive criticisms, respect it and appreciate it and at least we value it.
“We reached advanced stage of 5G; then an issue came up that 5G was related to COVID 19; many people including the educated ones started circulating it without verification.
“Naturally, people are a bit scary and sceptical about technology, so we gave enough time to do more consultation creating awareness in local languages so as to engage our citizens to address all the challenges.
“We set up a technical team that accommodated security, health and environmental institutions and the public sector so that we can be on the same page.”
According to the minister, 5G will make internet and other telecommunications faster and bring the country to the same pace with the international community.
“I want to give you the assurance that 5G communication network is in the pipeline,’’ he said.
Pantami said that the ministry had started discussions with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) concerning spectrum for commercial purpose.
“From that spectrum NCC will give it to mobile operators to start deployment. So, the policy is almost ready.
“I went to the National Assembly, I defended our presentation and they have accepted and they have also endorsed the deployment of 5G.
“They have also encouraged us to learn from other countries that have deployed 5G and we have already done that.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a statement that there is no relationship between 5G network and COVID 19 and that addresses the health issue.“
Similarly, the International Communications Union (ICU) which is an arm of the UN also issued another statement debunking any implications from the 5G,’’ Pantami added.
