The Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has said that no licence has been issued for the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Network (5G) in Nigeria.
Dr. Pantami stated this in a release he personally issued on Saturday and copy of which was obtained by The DEFENDER.
The non-licencing, yet, may not be unconnected to the public concern about the health implications of the technology to human lives although, according to the Minister, gvernment will not act on the speculations only, but that an informed decision on the 5G would rather come after due consultation with experts and the public.
To this end, he said because President Muhammadu Buhari places premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians, he would therefore not embark on any project in the name of technological advancement while putting the health and welfare of his people at risk.
He said, “Based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify as follows,” and he explained:
“i. 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; ii. No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country.”
He continued: “iii. 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.
“iv. 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.
“v. The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing,” Pantami said.
He added that: “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.
“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.”
