Nigeria, Ericsson sign deal to establish 5G innovation hub

The Nigerian government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ericsson to establish a framework of cooperation on fifth-generation (5G) technology development, deployment, and innovation.

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria while Peter Ogundele, country manager, Ericsson Nigeria, signed for the company.

The MoU, which was signed at the Ericsson global headquarters research and development lab in Kista, North of Stockholm, Sweden, was witnessed by the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, and Patrick Johansson, Ericsson senior vice-president and head of business area, Middle East and Africa.

The company also made a presentation to Shettima about its 5G technology evolution, radio spectrum matters and standardisation, as well as cyber and network security by Ericsson professionals.

Speaking after the presentation, Shettima enquired about the possibility of the company deploying its 5G technology to assist Nigeria in improving the security of its oil facilities.

“What value can you add to us? Security of oil facilities, oil pipelines. How can you come in with 5G to secure the oil pipelines, address the issue of oil theft and vandalisation of the pipelines?” he asked.

“The quantum of oil theft that is lifted is very crucial for economic planning and everything.”

‘5G TECHNOLOGY WILL BE APPLIED TO AGRICULTURE, MINING’ 

On his part, Tijani explained that the signing of the MoU would allow Nigeria to fully utilise 5G technology in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“So we signed the MoU to set up an innovation lab with Ericsson, and the focus of that lab will be to come up with applications that are based on 5G technology,” the minister said.

“For things in agriculture, mining and in some cases in education as well for the general usage of connectivity to improve the quality of lives for our people.

“The renewed hope agenda, in particular, goes into what we are trying to do with the reforms.”

Furthermore, Tijani said the reforms aim to diversify the Nigerian economy and “it is clear that we cannot diversify our economy without digital technology”.

“With this MoU we can strengthen the state of connectivity, particularly 5G, you know Nigeria is already one of the few countries with 5G on the continent,” he said.

“With the MoU, we can continue to ensure the spread of 5G across the country not just in key locations and this is how we can ensure that we see the growth that we want to see in our economy.”

Tijani described the visit of Shettima to Sweden as “extremely important to the growth and development of Nigeria’s digitisation drive process”.

”But I have to speak to the strength of Sweden as a country and how the visit of the Vice-President is extremely important,” he said.

“This is a country that built the use of technology to lift front development. It’s a country that is extremely powerful in technology and business.

“They have significant brands likes Volvo, Ericsson, they are global brands. And I think for the reforms that is going on in the country and ambition to raise the level of productivity and make our economy more competitive.”

Tijani said it is important both parties use the strength of Shettima and the visit, to truly deepen their relationship.