Is Nigeria Sleeping On The Fifth-Generation (5G) Network?

History was made in November 2019 as Nigeria became the first country to test-run 5G Network in West Africa. The tryout in the most populous country in Africa was viable as a result of the strong group effort between the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), and MTN Nigeria.

Since the development of the 5G Network, a lot of conspiracy theorists have taken advantage of daydreamers to dole out their shares of plots. For Nigerians, it has taken longer than usual keeping in mind the laid-back leadership in the country as per the country is doing little or less on the development.

According to a report by Naija News, The Federal Government has officially handed over the spectrum allocation for Fifth Generation (5G) deployment in the country to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami presented the 5G spectrum allocation document to the Chairman, NCC Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande, and the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

Earlier this year, the Federal Government had hinted that Abuja, Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, Gombe, and Anambra will be the first six states to enjoy fifth-generation technology in Nigeria between 2022 and 2023. The government disclosed this in its ‘National Policy on Fifth Generation Networks For Nigeria’s Digital Economy.’

According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) is on the verge of deploying the Fifth Generation (5G) network in Nigeria, adding that the deployment will start from the state capitals and gradually extends to other areas across the state, it is important to state that, unlike 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G, the 5G network will bring substantial network improvements, including higher connection speed, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities to communications services in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the long-awaited 5G network services would be available across the country by the last quarter of this year, The Guardian reported.

MTN Nigeria’s plan to rollout its fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks (5G) is being stalled by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to the telecom company in its financial statements for Q1 2022, it has fully paid for one lot of 100MHz in the 3.5GHz spectrum band, with 3500 – 3600 MHz frequencies allocated to MTN for 10 years.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communication secured the 5G license, with Airtel Nigeria pulling out from the bidding process which took place in December 2021.

However, despite the payment, which is placed at $273.6 million, MTN Nigeria hasn’t received regulatory approval from the NCC, resulting to disquiet around the period 5G network will commence operation in Nigeria.

“We will launch our 5G services once regulatory approval is obtained.” MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, wrote in the financial statements.

The delay means Nigeria is two years behind South Africa in the global 5G market, which is projected to be worth $39.57 billion by 2028, according to study by Grand View Research.

Official statements, reports and indications from Government agencies and Telecos proof that the Giant of Africa is not sleeping on the fifth-generation network.