Nigeria has successfully trialed 5G, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

While emphasising that 5G is not yet operational in Nigeria, the industry regulator said it had approved the testing of the technology in 2019, completed in conjunction with MTN Nigeria and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

“The NCC back in November 2019 approved a trial test for 5G for a period of three months, and the trial has been concluded and installation decommissioned,” the NCC stated.

At the same time the NCC said it had issued a statement in response to what it described as widely circulating rumors and conspiracies regarding 5G and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The regulator said there is no link whatsoever between 5G and COVID-19, but emphasised there was no deployment of the technology in the country.

Chairman of Nigeria’s National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami said the Council has not deliberated on- or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G; and no license has been issued for the deployment of the technology.

“Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G,” the minister said.

The NCC said 5G will transform the world “by connecting everything with everybody.”

“It will create millions of jobs, it will add billions of dollars to the economy (GDP), and can solve some of our problems such as insecurity and improve governance and efficiency in the society,” the organisation stated.