5G Network: NSA, Minister Disagree Over Deployment

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The National Security Adviser, NSA Major General Babagana Mungonu (rtd) and the Minister of Communication Isa Patami have expressed divergent views over the deployment of the 5G telecommunication network in Nigeria.

Some experts have warned of deployment of 5G equipment on health and security grounds. In spite of this, the network, promoted mainly by Huwai China, has been tested by telecommunication companies in the last one year, in some parts of the countries in readiness for final deployment, sources in the sector told the magazine.

Pantami said the ministry is working towards the final deployment of the network, noting there is no cause for alarm. According to the minister, efforts are ongoing to produce a national policy on the 5G network deployment in Nigeria based on an extensive research conducted by the Federal Government in partnership with major stakeholders. He said research conducted so far indicates that the elite network has no health or security implications.

But speaking during a public hearing by the National Assembly, the NSA said 5G portends serious risks for the country including health, national security and cyber attacks, among others.

Dr Bala Fakandu who represented the NSA at the hearing said the Office is worried, insisting that the president has the duty to protect Nigerians.

The NSA said there is no final approval from the president for the deployment of 5G contrary to speculations.

Fakandu said  “I am going to talk about the National Security concerns. We are aware that the deployment of 5G will come with different types of equipment and so we understand that the stakeholders in the telecommunications industry will make effort to ensure that they upgrade their systems in order to meet up with the new technology.

“We are concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment. That is one of the key concerns we have and this will make the infrastructure highly susceptible to eavesdropping, tracking, cyber attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors.

“We understand these are things that will be put in place particularly in the policy that the honourable minister has talked about but I need to emphasise it so that the stakeholders in the telecommunications industry will understand where we are coming from because the national security concerns is the concern of the Office of the National Security Adviser and concern of the President as well.

“In that guise, we are going to ensure on our own position and we urge the honourble minister to carry the office along in the development of the policy so that we can have a robust framework to take care of this areas”

The United States of America, USA and some other European nations have recently expressed concerns over the 5G network, promoted by Huwai a Chinese telecom company, on the strength that it could be used by the communists country to spy on other nations.