Lagos State is a step closer to achieving its smart city dream with the deployment of 5G technology in the state by MAFAB Communications (Mcom), on Thursday the 26th of January 2023.
Speaking at the launch, the State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology, Akeem Fahm, on behalf of the Governor, stated that the ultimate objective of the administration is to harness technology to enhance and empower the residents and investors in Lagos to achieve the transformation of Lagos State into a smart City Hub in Africa.
The Governor, expressing confidence in the ability of the 5G technology to drive the smart city plan, said “I am confident that we will achieve great success as the opportunity presented by Mcom 5G network has met with preparedness on our part. The country’s technology hub found in the Yaba district of Lagos, when completed will be our own African Silicon Valley.”
The Governor commended the achievement of Mcom in the tech space within a relatively short period through the launch of the 5G Network. He said, “I want to commend the management of MAFAB Communications for working hard to deliver this next-level technology that outguns the 4G network by a very wide margin. As such, its capabilities exceed expectations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed high hopes for the future across different sectors of the Nigerian economy, especially the security sector.
Mcom in fulfillment of tthe first phase of their obligations to deploy 5G technology in 6 cities across the country, including Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, and Port-Harcourt, landed in Lagos after a launch in Abuja on Tuesday.
Highlighting the impacts of 5G technology on Nigeria, the Chairman of MAFAB Communications, Dr Mushabu Bashir, said: This will enable our country to take its position as a global technology hub in Africa and the world at large. The 5G network will usher into this country a wide array of business opportunities, wherein various business outfits will expand their frontiers with operational ease and speed, especially in the fields of education, medical sciences, engineering, security, businesses like the banking sector, SMEs, smart cities, transportation, entertainment, etc., and allow Nigerians meet the long-term goal of ensuring that everybody is connected.”
“Mcom will play a major role in advancing new technologies that will push Nigeria beyond just being a technology consumer nation but an active player in the development and implementation of new technologies.
“MAFAB and MTN are the first two companies to deploy 5G technology in Nigeria and were issued the 5G licenses in December 2021. Airtel is also expected to deploy 5G technology this year, having being issued a license in December 2022.
