At the annual Telecom Industry Risk Management Conference held in Lagos, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has raised concerns over the heightened security risks associated with the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria. Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, emphasized the challenges and risks that come with the advanced technology, despite its significant benefits in speed and connectivity.
The conference, themed “Evolution and Future Risk Management in the Telecoms Industry: Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Trends,” provided a platform for discussing the implications of evolving telecommunications technologies, including 5G, and their impact on risk management strategies within the industry.
Dr. Maida pointed out that the advent of 5G technology, which was introduced in Nigeria about three years ago, has led to an expanded attack surface due to the increased number of connected devices and a denser network infrastructure.
With MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications, and Airtel Nigeria leading the charge in 5G rollout, achieving around 500,000 subscriptions, the country has seen a significant investment in the technology, with each operator shelling out $273.6 million for spectrum licenses, totaling $820.8 million. Despite the advantages of faster data speeds and lower latency, Dr. Maida underscored the potential for increased security vulnerabilities, necessitating robust risk management measures to protect against cyber threats.
The NCC’s focus on the future of telecommunications underscores the critical need for operators and stakeholders to prioritize security in their 5G deployment strategies, ensuring that the benefits of the technology are not overshadowed by the risks it brings.
