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Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has affirmed that the country was yet to approved the deployment of 5G services by telecom operators.
The country’s largest operator MTN had carried out a test run of 5G operations months back in partnership with Chinese Huawei.
The ministry issued a statement, this weekend in Abuja, as the controversy over 5G health implication rages and conspiracy theories linking 5G and COVID-19 gain grounds in social media.
Pantami said no license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in Nigeria and while a trial process has been concluded, the study and reporting process is still ongoing.
Below is the full statement issued by the ministry and signed by the minister himself.
No licence has been issued for 5G deployment in Nigeria
The attention of my office has been drawn to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria.Based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify as follows:
- The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G;
- No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country;
- A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria;
- As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial; and
- The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.
His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.
Government will not act on speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.
I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.
