The report on the deployment or otherwise of Fifth Generation (5G) network in Nigeria is ready but it will not go live until experts from all the country’s major sectors recommend its deployment, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ali Ibrahim Pantami said.
Pantami who spoke Thursday in a virtual Annual General Meeting and Induction of new members by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) said the government would not deploy the newest telecom network until professionals from health, telecom, ICT, engineering, defense, financial, media sectors and others made recommendations for its deployment.
“There must be unanimous decision from chosen experts from all the country’s major sectors before the government give go ahead for 5G deployment,” the minister said.
He said though 5G is very important, overall safety of Nigerians supersedes its importance.
He said if the experts found out it was safe and recommend its deployment, it would be deployed.
‘’But if it is found not to be safe for deployment in the country we will not deploy it,’’ he added.
He said the 5G deployment was stalled in some countries across the world due to conspiracy theory around its safety.
Speaking on the keynote lecture, Adoption of 5G in Nigeria: The Technological and Regulatory Challenges, Engr Uche Osuji said all telecom operators in the country are ready for 5G deployment.
Osuji, who is a senior manager with MTN Nigeria, said deployment of 5G network will revolutionise Nigeria’s economy.
He listed global politics as one of the major challenges stalling its deployment across the world.
Earlier, the President and Chairman-in-Council of CPN, Prof. Charles Uwadia said the adoption of 5G would drive economic growth and social inclusion in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government Thursday revealed that broadband penetration in the country has risen to 41%, up from 39% it was before early this year.
Pantami disclosed this when he inaugurated the Steering Committee for implementation of the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 in his office in Abuja.
