The Senate has approved the deployment of 5G Network in Nigeria following the consideration and adoption of the recommendations contained in the report of its Joint Committees on Communications; Science and Technology; ICT and Cyber Crimes; and Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases on “The Status of 5G Network in Nigeria and its Technological Impact on Nigeria Citizens”

Presenting the report of the Joint Committees at the plenary session of Wednesday, 19 May 2021, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (APC: Lagos) noted that the concerns raised by citizens on the deployment of the 5G network and probable negative effect on health and general well-being of humans necessitated the Senate to investigate the matter.

Sen. Tinubu informed lawmakers that the public hearing which was conducted by the Joint Committee focused on the following:

• The Current status of 5^th Generation (5G) Network in Nigeria.
• The state of Nigeria’s readiness to deploy the 5G Network.
• The negative impact of the deployment of 5G Network on the health of Nigerians.
• The result of the 3-month study trial conducted by MTN which commenced in 2019.
• The evidence of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with regards to the installation of 5G in Nigeria (if any).

According to Sen. Tinubu, the Joint Committee had received submission from the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy; the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Others  agencies that made submissions include the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI); the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA); the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT); Mobile Network Operators; the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP); the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA); the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA); and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Following these submissions, she explained that the stakeholders had unanimously called for the deployment of the 5G Network which is a significant improvement of the 4G technology currently existing and that all wireless technologies across the country  should operate in line with international exposure guidelines that protects people from hazards that are injurious to human health.

Some recommendations adopted by the Senate are as follows:

1. That claims between the COVID-19 pandemic and the 5G Network technology are not feasible.
2. That it is only inherent that Nigeria joins the comity of nations that deploy 5G Network as this will help redefine technology.
3. That the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy expedite actions to deploy the 5G network and advice on emerging technologies and products.
4. That standards for the deployment of 5G technology be strictly adhered to.

Click here to view the full report of the Joint Committee