How 5G Can Transform Nigeria’s Digital Economy and Data Governance

NCC calls for data governance, safety, and security in the era of 5G

Ilesanmi AdekanbiJune 9, 2023

2 minutes read

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the fifth generation (5G) network, which promises to revolutionize the way we communicate, work, and play. The NCC made this call at the 2023 Nigeria DigitalSense Forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) organized by ITRealms, an online publication, with the theme: ‘Data Governance, Safety, and Security in Nigeria’ held in Lagos.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, in his keynote address, said that 5G technology offers unprecedented speed, low latency, and high capacity that can support various applications that leverage the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence. He said that 5G technology can enhance the socio-economic development of Nigeria and facilitate the attainment of a National Digital Economy.

However, he also cautioned that 5G technology comes with its own challenges, especially regarding data governance, safety, and security.

He said that data is critical to the digital economy and we must prioritize building robust legal frameworks for data governance. He said that we must exercise authority and control over mining and usage of data to increase its value and minimize its costs and risks.

He added that we must always prioritize consumer privacy, transparency, and ethical data use. He said that by cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, we can unlock the full potential of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria.

He also assured that the NCC is committed to ensuring the security and protection of networks and consumers.

He said that the Nigerian Communications Act mandates its licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used in or in relation to the commission of any offence under any law in operation in Nigeria.

“While 5G technology has enhanced capabilities that provide superior communications services for the socio-economic development of Nigeria and facilitate attainment of a National Digital Economy; we must consider the challenges that come with it, particularly in protecting user data privacy and safety.

“Data is critical to the digital economy, and we must prioritize building robust legal frameworks for data governance.

“This calls for exercise of authority and control over mining and usage of data; the purpose being to increase value of data and minimize data related costs and risks.

“As such, we need to always prioritize consumer privacy, transparency and ethical data use. By cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, we can unlock the full potential of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria.

“To ensure the security and protection of networks and consumers, the Nigerian Communications Act mandates its licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used in, or in relation to, the commission of any offence under any law in operation in Nigeria.”

The Executive Editor of ITRealms media, Mr Remmy Nweke, in his address, said that this year’s topic on 5G was to draw attention to the role of data governance, safety, and security as 5G becomes “the next big thing in our growing telecoms sector.”

He said that 5G technology can offer many benefits for Nigeria such as faster connectivity, lower latency, enhanced capacity, improved productivity, better health care, smarter cities, and more. He said that we must also be aware of the risks and challenges of 5G technology such as cyberattacks, data breaches, privacy violations, ethical dilemmas, and regulatory gaps. He said that we must work together to ensure that 5G technology is used for good and not evil.