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NCC Says 5G’ Holds Great Potential for Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Development”

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Nigeria will derive huge socio-economic benefits from commercial deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) Networks, which will come with great potentials that will bolster Nigeria’s socio economic ecosystem for quantifiable growth.

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) stated this during a discussion with a broad spectrum of participants mostly made up of Nigerians at a special panel session sponsored and hosted by the Commission on Wednesday as part of the programmes of the ongoing Social Media Week Lagos (SMWLagos2020).

 

The weeklong conference is taking place at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos

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At the NCC panel discussion which focused on, “5G Networks: Socioeconomic Benefits and Challenges”, which was also attended by the Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, participants had a lively conversation as they asked rational and piercing questions from the discussants.

 

Bako Wakil, director, Technical Standards & Network Integrity at NCC, and Kenneth Uzoekwe, an assistant Director in the Spectrum Administration Department of the Commission, responded to questions at the session moderated by Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, head, Online Media & Special Publications at the Commission.

 

The first question asked, which centred on what constitutes 5G, was so eloquently and perceptively answered by the panelists to an earn an applause from the audience.

Wakil explained that all communication possibilities within the framework of ITU’s IMT-2020 that enhance extremely accurate and near-instantaneous transfer of large quantities of data are well within the contemplation of 5G. Such technologies will also make for better experience of virtual realities, driverless cars, drone operations and a spectra of possibilities popularly called the Internet of Things (IoT).

 

Wakil explained that 5G is the newest generation of technology which “will bring about transformation in the country in the area of smart city, smart transportation, efficiency in medicine, a lot of automation, and 5G will control a lot of appliances and devices with respect to Internet of Things (IoT).”

 

In other words, “the difference between all other existing generations of technologies such as 2G, 3G and 4G lies in speed and data capacity. The 5G deployment, however, offers even faster speed, high latency and high capacity that will transform consumers and business experiences” Wakil emphasised.

 

A litany of follow up questions on many aspects of 5G, the key differences between 4G and 5G, and on the implications of 5G for security, speed, capacity and data consumption were also well treated by the discussants.

 

Responding to questions on radiation level of a 5G network, Wakil allayed the fears of the participants: “Generally, there is every reason for people to be apprehensive with respect to the radiation of a new technology such as 5G. However, the radiation from 5G is non-ionising. Non-ionising radiation cannot cause adverse health effects in humans. So, radiation in 5G is going to me minimal and not harmful,” he clarified.

 

Wakil identified the two major challenges to 5G network deployment as energy and infrastructure.

 

He noted that while the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is coordinating the NCC, the National Frequency Management Council, and the National Broadband Plan to address broadband infrastructure deficits, the poor state of electricity supply in the country needs to be addressed by other sectors of the economy because that matter is outside the purview of the NCC.

 

Still on broadband infrastructure, Wakil explained that the NCC, having adopted the Open Access Model for enhanced broadband infrastructure deployment, has licensed six out of seven proposed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) to deploy fibre access in all the 774 local government areas (LGAs) of Nigeria.

 

Speaking about NCC’s preparedness for commercial 5G, Uzoekwe said there is enough spectrum bands that have been identified and can be used for the deployment of 5G. “Six spectrum bands have been identified, so, I can say we have enough spectrum bands.

“All we need now is to finalise the re-planing and re-farming, so that those occupying certain spectra can be relocated to other bands,” Uzoekwe said.

 

Uzoekwe told the excited audience that the InfraCo Project will help to bridge the 200 access gaps involving some 35 million Nigerians, who have no access to telecom services, as already identified by the Commission.

 

It will be recalled that in November 2019, the NCC facilitated the first non-commercial Proof of Concept (PoC) trail of 5G network in Nigeria, which was undertaken by MTN, a Mobile Network Operator in Nigeria.

 

That trial was done to demonstrate the possibilities of 5G operations in Nigeria, preparatory to the commercial launch of the service by telecoms operators.

 

Therefore, the NCC panel session at the #SMWLagos2020, provided an additional opportunity for the Commission to educate Nigerians on its plan about 5G network deployment in the country.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Glo Boosts Network Capacity for Enhanced Customer Experience

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Globacom is rolling out extensive network improvements to deliver a significantly better experience for its customers. These proactive measures are designed to ensure subscribers continue to get excellent value, particularly following recent tariff adjustments.

The ongoing upgrade involves a widespread deployment of new base stations, expanding coverage to previously underserved areas, and strengthening existing coverage in growing population centres. This strategic densification will guarantee superior network quality for both voice and data services across the entire country.

In a significant investment, Globacom is also re-routing its fibre infrastructure in several locations where road construction has compromised the fibre, including vital routes like Auchi-Okene and Benin-Ekpoma, Lafia-Akwanga, Minna-Abuja, and Funtua-Gusau.

“We decided, at a huge cost, to relocate the fibres, many of which had been vandalized in several places by uncoordinated road construction activities, in order to bring best-in-class services to customers”, the company disclosed.

Customers can look forward to brighter days ahead as Glo completes the deployment of hundreds of new sites nationwide. This year alone, thousands of 4G LTE sites have been activated in key cities, with additional hundreds of new sites are currently being deployed to further boost connectivity. These efforts are supported by massive upgrades of backhaul capacity (microwave and fibre) and a seamless improvement in the core network.

Globacom assured its subscribers that these ongoing initiatives will translate to enhanced service delivery, expanded coverage, faster data speeds, and overall improved network performance. The company plans to add over a thousand new sites in the next year, prioritizing LTE expansion to deepen its reliable data reach and extending fibre to more hub sites for greater service robustness.

Furthermore, Glo is committed to minimizing its carbon footprint by expanding hybrid power solutions and relying more on battery power across its sites, representing another substantial investment.

Despite these positive developments, Globacom continues to highlight the challenge of deliberate sabotage of network equipment, even with its designation as critical national infrastructure, emphasizing the need for stronger protective measures.


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MTN’s Uto Ukpanah Becomes 30th ICSAN President, Reinforcing Female Leadership in Governance

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L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.
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Nigeria’s corporate landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, with women increasingly occupying leadership positions and reshaping the narrative at the highest levels. A striking example of this shift unfolded recently as Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, was inaugurated as the 30th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.

Historically, ICSAN was led exclusively by men for nearly 57 years. However, the trend began to change in 2023 when Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo broke barriers as the Institute’s first female president. In 2025, her successor and former vice president, Mrs. Ukpanah, has now become only the second woman to assume the presidency, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s governance sector.

This development aligns with the broader momentum for women’s leadership across Nigeria’s business ecosystem. MTN Nigeria stands out as a champion of gender diversity. The company’s 2024 Annual Report reveals that women now constitute 41.4% of the workforce, a marked increase by 3% compared to 2023.

Among executive management, women hold 34.7% of positions, while female board representation stands at 21.4%. MTN’s deliberate drive, bolstered by initiatives such as the Women in Tech programme and the Y’ello Mums Internship, is fostering a pipeline of female talent across all tiers.

Female leaders at MTN are shaping strategy and impact on multiple fronts: Dr. Mosun Olusoga chairs the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya serves as the Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Dr. Omobola Johnson contributes as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors; and a host of others including Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Esther Akinnukawe, Ugonwa Nwoye, among others, lead critical business functions.

MTN’s policy of inclusion is reflected not just in numbers, but in recent recognitions. In 2024, Odunayo Sanya was named CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards, and Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director of Bayobab Nigeria (subsidiary of MTN), received the Woman in Telecoms Award in London.

Mrs. Ukpanah herself was honoured as the first-ever African recipient of the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), a testament to her pioneering leadership.

Ukpanah’s investiture as ICSAN President was held on July 23, 2025, in Lagos, attracting an array of dignitaries, government officials, and business leaders. Chaired by Prof. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, with a keynote delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, the event saw the full support of MTN Nigeria’s top brass, including CEO Karl Toriola and Board Chairman Dr. Ernest Ndukwe. In his goodwill message, Dr. Ndukwe remarked:

“This honour is a fitting recognition for Uto’s distinguished career, unwavering professionalism, and deep commitment to the principles of good governance. Uto has consistently exemplified the values that I believe ICSAN upholds, and we are confident that her leadership will further strengthen the Institute’s aspirations towards promoting excellence in governance.

“At MTN Nigeria, we are proud of her achievements and reaffirm our full support as she embarks on this important assignment. We look forward to the positive impact her tenure will bring to ICSAN.”

Also, her husband, Aniekan Ukpanah, Senior Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, described her as “a passionate steward, rooted in family, bound by purpose, and committed to legacy.” Outgoing ICSAN President Mrs. Ekundayo added that Ukpanah is “astute, visionary, and principled.”

Mrs. Ukpanah’s ascendancy to ICSAN’s top office, and MTN’s visible support, do more than celebrate personal or organisational victories; they signal a new era, one in which women are not just present, but are key architects of governance and future prosperity for Nigeria.


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NIMC Warns Nigerians Against Selling NIN Data Amid Rising Identity Fraud

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National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians over the illegal sale of personal data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), amid reports of a growing underground market targeting unsuspecting citizens.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Commission expressed deep concern following revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that young Nigerians are offering between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 to individuals in exchange for their NIN and other sensitive details. These details are then allegedly resold to certain fintech platforms for as much as ₦5,000.

“This is not just a case of minor fraud, it’s a threat to national security and personal safety,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC. “When you hand over your data to unknown agents, you are essentially handing over control of your identity.”

The Commission reiterated that it will not be held liable for any misuse of personal data shared voluntarily by individuals or through third parties for financial gain or inducement.

NIMC further cautioned service providers to ensure that every NIN presented for services is properly verified using approved channels before access is granted.

To safeguard personal identity, Nigerians are encouraged to download the NINAuth App, available on Apple iOS and Google Play Store. The app enables users to manage, secure, and control access to their NIN data.

“The story of your identity should be written by you, not sold for a quick payout,” the Commission stated.

NAN reports that the NIMC’s advisory comes amid rising concerns over digital identity theft and the misuse of personal data in Nigeria’s expanding fintech ecosystem.


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