*Ogbonnaya Ugama, Enugu Zonal Controller of the Nigerian Communications Commission, restates the telecoms regulatory Commission will do everything possible to ensure networks equipment with set standards are approved to guarantee consumer safety in the country’s ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In line with the Commission’s consumer education initiatives, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reassured the public that the new Fifth Generation (5G) networks comes with no negative health effects.

ConsumerConnect learnt Mr. Ogbonnaya Ugama, Enugu Zonal Controller of the NCC, stated this clarification at a roundtable with members of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFEs) during the weekend, in Enugu, Enugu State.

Ugama restated there is no convincing evidence associated with emissions from electromagnetic devices, including handsets considered harmful to telecoms consumers.

The NCC Zonal Controller also noted that international bodies, including the World Health Organisations (WHO) had established a threshold that there is no solid evidence that 5G technology causes negative health effects on humans and animals.

Ugama, however, urged consumers to not hold these electromagnetic devices as handsets close to their bodies, if they have doubts.

He further stated: “NCC will do everything possible to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and ensure that every equipment with set standards is

In regard to the benefits of the new te approved.

Benefits of 5G networks

Ugama reiterated that 5G networks are designed to increase speed, reduce latency and improve flexibility of wireless services.

He said: “5G has theoretical peak speed of 20 Gigabytes per Second (GBPS) while the peak speed of 4G is only one GBPS.

“5G can transform Nigeria’s economy, dwelling on its projected impact in sectors of education, finance, security, agriculture, healthcare, entertainment and even governance.”

According to the NCC Enugu Zonal Controller, Nigeria is the third country in Africa that had deployed the 5G networks.

The new technology, Ugama stated, has been operational in six states of Lagos, Imo, Borno, Kano, Rivers, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The networks will be extended to other states of the Nigerian Federation by 2025, noted he.