Vice President Kashim Shettima has formalized a partnership with Ericsson to enhance Nigeria’s technological infrastructure, positioning the nation as a global leader in 5G technology.
Shettima, alongside key Nigerian officials, spearheaded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at propelling Nigeria into the ranks of top global users of the 5G network. This initiative is set to significantly improve the country’s technological capacity and productivity.
The agreement, signed on Friday at Ericsson’s Global Headquarters and Research and Development Lab in Kista, Stockholm, Sweden, was witnessed by Shettima and senior Ericsson executives, including the company’s Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area for the Middle East and Africa.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, signed the MoU on behalf of the Nigerian government, while Peter Olusoji Ogundele, Country Manager for Ericsson Nigeria, represented the telecom giant.
5G, the fifth generation of cellular networks, is expected to deliver speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, unlocking new opportunities for individuals, businesses, and technological advancement on a global scale.
Highlighting the significance of the agreement, Minister Tijani expressed confidence that Nigeria is poised to fully leverage the benefits of 5G. Its broad coverage is expected to accelerate economic growth and drive rapid technological development across the country.
The Minister said, “It is important that we use the strength of the VP’s visit to truly deepen the relationship with some of our tech partners, and that is what the VP is doing in all the meetings he has had.
“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 based on 5G technology for our projects and practices in agriculture, mining, education, as well as for the general usage of connectivity to improve the quality of life for our people.
“Again, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, in particular, ties into what we are trying to do with the reforms. The aim of the reforms is to diversify our economy, and it is clear that we cannot diversify our economy without digital technology.”
Shettima, during a briefing on the company’s technological advancements, radio spectrum issues, standardization, and Cyber and Network Security, explored the feasibility of deploying 5G technology to bolster Nigeria’s oil facility security.
He emphasised the importance of utilizing this technology to curb oil theft and prevent pipeline vandalism, noting its critical role in managing and planning the nation’s oil economy.
In a separate development, Shettima held high-level talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, encompassing trade expansion, strategic partnerships, regional security cooperation, and enhanced collaborative efforts.
Shettima was accompanied by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other embassy officials.
