The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has welcomed the approval by Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the Fifth Generation Network, commonly referred to as 5G technology.
Its Director-General, Amb Ayoola Olukanni, commending the development in a statement to newsmen on Thursday, said it reflected government’s commitment to the growth of the telecommunication sector.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Sept. 8 approved the policy to deploy the Fifth Generation network, popularly known as 5-G.
Olukanni said the 5G network would not only contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy but would help boost education, and activities in the health sector.
The NACCIMA DG said that it would assist Nigeria’s security outfits to combat, crimes, banditry and kidnapping in different parts of the country.
He advised that the implementation should be carried out in close collaboration with the private sector.
“Certainly, the 5G network in which the Telcom Companies will also play a crucial role will expand business opportunities for young Tech Entrepreneurs.
“This is because they have demonstrated the capacity to leverage on technology to create innovative businesses and start-ups in the area of fintech, agrictech and smart-apps for farming services, creativity and other sectors of the economy.
“NACCIMA is also delighted that the 5G policy which is a component part of the 2020-2025 National Broadband Plan is now coming on stream.
“The Association is therefore calling for full integration of the private sector in the implementation of that National Broadband Plan designed for expansion of the Digital Economy,” he said.
He reiterated that the current NACCIMA administration, led by its National President, Ide John Udeagbala, had made harnessing of Information and Communication Technology one of its priorities and was ready to work with all stakeholders.
“This is to ensure that the new 5G policy and National Broadband Plan truly becomes a platform to scale up business opportunities, especially for young people who see several opportunities in it and have decided to embrace tech entrepreneurship as a way out of unemployment.
“With the 5G policy, Nigeria has truly taken a major step forward to significantly improve its digital infrastructure and the private sector must be given a key role to play to fully harness the potentials,” he said.
