The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has welcomed the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the Fifth Generation Network, commonly referred to as 5G technology.
The Organized Private Sector (OPS) group’s Director-General, Amb. Ayoola Olukanni, described the approval as a desirable step and reflected the government’s commitment to the growth of the nation’s economy, particularly the telecommunication sector.
According to the Director General, the 5G network will not only contribute to the Nigeria’s socio-economic growth but will also help fast-track developments of education and health sectors.
To ensure successful implementation of the 5G Network policy, Olukanni canvassed the need for for government to involve the private sector.
He explained: “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”, the Director General added
The industrialist maintained that the current NACCIMA-led National President, Ide Udeagbala, had made harnessing of Information and Communication Technology one of its priorities and was ready to work with all stakeholders.
He further clarified: “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,” Olukanni added.
