5G Deployment in Nigeria is in line with global innovation curve ─Buhari

*President Muhammadu Buhari says the planned roll-out of 5G networks will ensure the country stays in line with the global innovation curve in view of the contribution of the ICT and telecoms sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As the West African country embraces the digital economy, President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that his administration’s prioritisation of developing the Nigeria digital transformation agenda has positively impacted the economy.

President Buhari stated this in his Independence Day address on the occasion of the country’s 61st independence anniversary Friday, October 1, 2021.

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ConsumerConnect reports the President noted the considerable impact of the efforts is visible in the contribution of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and telecoms sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Imminent deployment of 5G networks in Nigeria

Buhari in his national broadcast also lent credence to the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and agencies under the Ministry, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in actualising the digital economy drive by deploying the 5G technology come January 2022, in Nigeria.

He stated in his address: “We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number (NIN) as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth generation (5G) technology will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a nation.

“As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils.”

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According to the President, the current administration’s policies have been developed to enable Nigerian consumers to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies.

On benefits of social media platforms

Buhari also acknowledged the usefulness of the various microblogging sites and social media platforms to individuals, businesses and organisations in the country’s economy.

“Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information,” stated the President.

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He, however, observed in his Independence Day speech, that “recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.

“Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.”

Measures towards lifting ban on Twitter operations

But in a move to address what he described as “these negative trends”, Buhari said that the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria Saturday, June 5, 2021, “to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges.”

The President further noted: “Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse.

“Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.”

READ ALSO: I’ve Directed Twitter Ban Be Lifted In Nigeria, But…. ─Buhari

He recalled that the Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues.

These, he stated, are: a. National Security and Cohesion; b.) Registration, Physical presence and Representation; c.) Fair Taxation; d.) Dispute Resolution; and e.) Local Content.

Buhari also stressed following the extensive engagements, the issues with Twitter Inc. are being addressed, and “I have directed that the suspension be lifted, but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.”

He assured the Nigerian consumers, that as a country, “we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platforms to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.”

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