Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has clarified that till date, no 5G licenses have been issued in the country.
Dr. Pantami’s clarification is coming on the heels of concerns expressed in the media about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks otherwise known as 5G, in Nigeria.
Based on available records at his office and the earlier report received from the regulator, Pantami clarified as follow:
*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.
According to the Minister: “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 the 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 NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.”
He thanked the general public for reaching out to his office on this issue even as he advised them to remain confident that government would always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.