The President Buhari Muhammadu led government has approved the National Policy on fifth generation (5G) networks for the country’s digital economy.
According to a report on Naija news, the policy was approved on Wednesday, 8th September, 2021 during the weekly Federal Executive Council presided by President Buhari himself.
Confirming the development in a statement, Femi Adeluyi, technical assistant (on Information Technology) to Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), minister of communications and digital economy, said the country will as a result of the development enjoy advantages which include much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.
He noted that implementation of the National Policy is with immediate effect. Recall that 5G network installation in Nigeria has been a subject of debate over the months.
The ministry has, however, said 5G networks “offer significant advantages over the current technologies.”
The statement reads: “The National Policy has been developed over a period of 2 years, due to the need for extensive stakeholder engagement and the need to ensure adequate public awareness and sensitization,” the statement reads.
“The stakeholder engagement was thorough and multi-sectoral. It also took into account the report of the 3-month 5G trials that commenced on the 25th of November 2019.
“The report critically reviewed and studied the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria.
“Leading international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an organ of the United Nations, have confirmed that the deployment of 5G networks leave no adverse health effects and are safe.
“Some of its advantages include much lower latency, higher bandwidth, greater device density, longer battery life for nodes and greater network flexibility.
“Several countries have already commenced the deployment of 5G and are enjoying its benefits.” The ministry further listed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Lesotho, currently operating on the network.
