The office of the national security adviser (NSA) has expressed its fear with the deployment of 5th Generation (5G) technology in the country.

Bala Fakandu, director of communications in NSA who appeared before the senate committee on communications on Thursday February 25, said they are concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment, which according to him might expose Nigeria to “eavesdropping, tracking, cyber-attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors.”

Fakandu also asked the ministry of communications and digital economy to carry them along in the formulation of the policy that would guide the use of 5G in the country.

He said; “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 the minister has talked about.

“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 of the president as well.”

There is no link between 5G and COVID-19 – Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami

The Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami has again countered rumours of 5G being the root cause of COVID-19.

Appearing before the senate committee on communications yesterday February 25, Pantami stated that there is no link between 5G and COVID-19.

He added that while the only issue being raised is usually about radiation, people don’t realise that the radiation of 4G is more harmful than that of 5G.

Pantami said; “There is no link between 5G and COVID-19.

“There is no relationship between 5G and any disease, the only issue being raised usually is about radiation but people don’t realise that the radiation of 4G is more harmful than that of 5G.

“The radiation of microwave oven at home is more harmful than that of the 5G.”

The minister further said that if there are medical and security concerns linked to 5G, he would have been a victim because he has tested the technology.