The Federal Government has not issued any fifth generation (5G) mobile telecom licence in the country, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has said. Pantami in a statement he personally signed on Saturday said Nigeria might not roll out 5G soon as his office had yet to issue 5G licence to any company in the coutry. ”
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,” the minister said.
He said the country only did study trial of the latest technology and Nigeria was yet to adopt it. 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,” he said.
He said the trial process had been concluded and the study and reporting process was currently ongoing. According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians and as such, “our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.” Pantami said the Federal 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 added.
