Telecom
Telecom Equipment and Human Environmental Issues
The rapid deployment of digital mobile services across the country and speed at which they are being subscribed to, has demonstrated the importance of information and communications technology services to the people.
Although all these bring growth in the economic advancement of the country, but it comes with latent effects on the environment, such as depiction of the aesthetic of the environment among others. Against this backdrop that National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Nesrea) had expressed reservation over what it called indiscriminate erection of telecommunications mast in various communities in the country.
According to Dr. Ngeri Benebo, director-general of the agency, telecommunications companies should conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before installing their masts.
Benebo said that EIA was necessary to ensure that the environment and human beings were not adversely affected by such installations.
She added that the agency had received complaints from some members of the public that such masts were within residential areas and urged the affected companies to take adequate measures to mitigate any negative impact.
She noted that the agency plans to hold dialogue with stakeholders to educate them on the need to comply with EIA requirement and that it will collaborate with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to address some of the environmental issues arising from the location of masts in residential areas.
“The issue of location of masts has become a top priority for Nesrea because of the public outcry; we in the agency have decided that it should be a top issue to be discussed. In the past, what had been the topmost issue to the agency was industry effluent discharge which has contributed negatively to climate change and pollution of water bodies,” Benebo said.
According to her, it is the responsibility of the Nigerian government to ensure that the environment is conducive for human habitation.
Recently, Kaduna state high court ordered a telecom infrastructure company to decommission its mast located close to residential areas on the ground that such equipment may have health implications as expressed by the residents that brought the matter to court.
Aside unsubstantiated claims of health implications of sitting mast close to residential areas, such masts make the environment loose its beauty and to this end that they have embraced co-locations of their masts. Co-location allows operators to jointly install their base transceiver station in one location thereby reducing the number of towers as well as cost.
Mobile phones are becoming more than just business tools; they are also popular means of communication and safety aid. There are now some 76 million mobile phones in use in Nigeria meaning that have become essential parts of many peoples lives.
Also, there are around 22,000 base stations in the country. Base stations are transmitters (sometimes called masts) that use radio waves to communicate with mobile phones.
Radio waves are low-energy radiation waves that transmit through the antenna on a mobile phone. The radio waves transmit to the base station and back again. Base stations are surrounded by electromagnetic fields, an energy force that is created when electricity is generated.
As the popularity of mobile phone grows, so are concerns over the health implications of its usage and telecommunications masts. Some people opposed to telecommunications revolution would stop at every opportunity to throw the seeming unending argument on the safety of mobile phone.
But findings from 1990 till date have found that there is no general risk to the health of people living near base stations or using mobile phones. Earnest Ndukwe, former executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said that mobile phone masts are not responsible for the symptoms of ill health some people blame them for.
Ndukwe said it would not be to the best to allow industry operators endanger the lives of the Nigerian people in the process of carrying out their telecom business. He added that for mobile technology to function effectively, the operators must have base stations around the country, noting that what the Commission has done was to set guidelines that must police the erection of such towers and masts in order to create standards.
“He pointed out that “without base stations. There is no communication. Besides, some studies have shown that mainland Britain alone has over 40,000 towers while Nigeria currently has about 22,000. The difference shows in the quality of telecommunications services available in the two countries although Nigerian operators are still installing base stations in order to improve their service.”
Telecoms operators in the country are registered and responsible members of global industry association, GSM Association (GSMA), the international Telecommunications Union (ITU) and CDMA Group. Thus all the operators benefit from a huge body of research undertaken independently by the different industry bodies.
Past and Ongoing Researches
Past and ongoing researches and studies have been conducted by the GSMA independently in collaboration with the World Health Organizations on possible effect of proximity to telecommunications installations and equipment and use of mobile phones, on human health.
These studies and researches till date have failed to show any causal link between adverse health effects and telecommunications installations and equipment, and use of mobile phones. Ericsson, the world-leading telecommunications equipment venders has also said that there is no fear in the usage of mobile phones as far as EMR emission is concerned.
Mr. Leif Edwall, country manager, Ericsson Nigeria, maintained that recent developments on the health implications of radiation from masts and mobile phone antennae are constantly in the news and the questions about proximity of end-user devices to central parts of people’s nerve systems have led scientists to investigate the potential health risks of mobile telephony in depth.
Also in 2002, Vodafone, a GSM operator in Britain had sought to install mobile telephone antenna in thetowers of the churches of St. Margaret, Hawas and Holy Trinity, Knaresborough, in the Leeds area of English. This action resulted in objection from residents within the vicinity of the churches, primarily on the grounds of health risks from living close tom antennae. Vodafone petitioned the Leeds combined court in the recent English cases of St. Margarent Hawas (No. 215 of 2002) and Holy trinity, Knarsborough (no. 233 of 2002).
The issue for determination before the court was whether radiation from a telecommunications base telecommunications base station may affect the health of humans in the vicinities of such base stations, and was resolved by determining the appropriate base station radiation emission threshold.
Vodafone’s case was based on the recommendation that the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines is the most widely accepted and should therefore be applicable. The objectors preferred the “Salzburg resolution” (a different standard0 which has lower thresholds than those of the ICNIRP guidelines.
Both Vodafone and the objectors agreed that base station radiation frequency fields are not strong enough to damage chemical bonds in the human body and are not cumulative over time. The part also agreed that base station radiations are less intense than those from a basic domestic appliance like the microwave and therefore cannot heat up or have thermal effect on a human body like such appliance could.
The court held that researches and scientific studies on human health and the relationship between exposure to radio frequency (RF) has not prove it as cause of different types of cancer, reproductive problems, congenital anomalies epilepsy, headaches and suicide etcetera.
Are Mobile Phones Safe?
There is currently no definitive scientific evidence to suggest that mobile phones pose a risk to health. And since mobile phones are a relatively new technology, that situation could change. There have been no studies into the long-term effects of using handsets, because the technology has not been around long enough.
Do Some Studies Clear Mobiles
Yes! These include a major 2006 study by the Danish institute of Cancer Epidemiology of more than 420, 000 mobile phone users, which found no evidence that mobile phone use was linked to an increased risk of cancer.
There findings echoed work by the institute of Cancer Research, also published in 2006, which concluded that mobile phone use was not associated with a greater risk of brain cancer.
And in 2007, the idea that mobile phone masts can trigger symptoms such as anxiety, nausea and tiredness in sensitive individuals was dismissed by a study led by the University of Essex.
Nigeria is strengthening its position as a leading digital economy in Africa as it prepares to host the second edition of GITEX Nigeria, against projections that the continent’s artificial intelligence (AI) economy could generate up to $1 trillion in economic value by 2035.
GITEX Nigeria
GITEX Nigeria, described as West Africa’s largest technology, AI and startup event, is scheduled to hold in Abuja and Lagos from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, under the patronage of President Bola Tinubu.
The event is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), endorsed by the Lagos State Government and organised by KAOUN International.
With the theme, “Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign Innovation,” the 2026 edition is expected to bring together global technology companies, investors, policymakers, regulators, startups and other stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the organisers, the event will focus on strengthening digital resilience, scaling AI infrastructure, attracting strategic investments and building partnerships to support digital sovereignty across Nigeria and West Africa.
Nigeria’s progress in digital skills development is expected to feature prominently at the event, with the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme highlighted as a major intervention.
The programme has recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, while more than 135,000 Nigerians have been trained through three cohorts.
The programme has also extended learning opportunities to more than 300,000 people through community resources and created 15,000 job and opportunity pathways, according to figures released by the organisers.
Another key initiative, Project BRIDGE, is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s national ICT backbone and improving connectivity in underserved communities.
The project is expected to create up to 20,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect jobs, train 5,000 Nigerian youths, raise internet penetration above 70 per cent and extend high-speed connectivity to millions of households, businesses, schools and hospitality establishments.
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Nigeria’s objective was to build the foundations for digital sovereignty and a globally competitive AI-powered economy.
“Building on the momentum forged through the implementation of Project BRIDGE, our national blueprint for expanding digital infrastructure and connecting communities across Nigeria, our aspiration ahead of this year’s edition is clear: to solidify the foundations Africa needs for digital sovereignty, technological self-determination, and a globally competitive AI-powered economy,” Tijani said.
He said Nigeria was seeking to promote equitable access, accelerate cross-continental progress and position the country as a producer and exporter of digital technologies and AI solutions.
The GITEX Nigeria Government Leadership and AI Summit will open in Abuja on Aug. 31, bringing together ministers, governors and regulators to discuss digital public infrastructure and other issues shaping West Africa’s digital economy.
The GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference, as well as the Startup Festival, will also return for the second consecutive year.
A new component, FDX Nigeria by GITEX, will focus on finance and digital asset exchange, with the organisers describing it as a platform designed to promote financial inclusion and connect emerging technology with global capital.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said the state remained central to Africa’s digital transformation, noting its role in attracting talent, capital and innovation.
He said hosting GITEX Nigeria would further support Lagos’ ambition of becoming a smarter, more connected and globally competitive economy.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, said Nigeria’s digital future would depend not only on technology adoption but also on resilience, trust and effective governance frameworks.
“GITEX NIGERIA seamlessly complements this mandate, creating a unique environment for the dialogue needed to accelerate responsible AI adoption, develop a secure digital economy, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” Abdullahi said.
He said the expertise, investment and partnerships generated through the event would contribute to building an AI ecosystem that was secure, inclusive and capable of supporting Nigeria and West Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
The organisers said Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, 3MTT programme and Project BRIDGE were among initiatives strengthening the country’s capacity in talent development, digital infrastructure, investment attraction and responsible AI adoption.
They said GITEX Nigeria would provide an avenue for global stakeholders to establish partnerships and develop solutions capable of accelerating the region’s digital transformation.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of GITEX, said the event was intended to demonstrate that West Africa was ready to convert technological ambition into economic growth, resilience and global competitiveness.
She said GITEX Nigeria would facilitate strategic conversations and partnerships aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness and unlocking scalable growth across Nigeria and West Africa.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Enugu State Government have signed an agreement for the operational lease of the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.
The agreement was witnessed by Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, alongside members of the Commission’s Board and Management.
The development is expected to strengthen digital innovation, skills development and technology-driven opportunities in the state.
As part of the engagement, the NCC delegation also visited the Enugu Smart School Initiative, where technology is being integrated into teaching and learning.
The initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills and preparing them for future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The NCC said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that expand digital inclusion, strengthen innovation and develop the talent required to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The Commission said partnerships with state governments and other stakeholders were critical to creating an enabling environment for digital skills development and technology adoption across the country.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to make dedicated budgetary provisions for cybersecurity as part of efforts to strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure against the growing wave of cyber threats.
The directive forms part of the Commission’s Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigerian Communications Sector (CRF-NCS), which introduces new governance, risk management and operational requirements aimed at safeguarding the country’s critical telecommunications infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
Under the framework, all licensed telecom operators are expected to establish formal cybersecurity governance structures, dedicate adequate financial resources to cyber resilience programmes, and integrate cybersecurity into their enterprise-wide risk management processes.
The Commission said operators must ensure cybersecurity investments are no longer treated as optional operational expenses but as strategic business priorities necessary to protect network infrastructure, customer information and the country’s digital economy.
According to the NCC, licensees are expected to allocate sufficient budgets to support cyber risk assessments, security technologies, staff training, incident response capabilities, continuous monitoring and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The framework also requires operators to designate senior executives responsible for cybersecurity oversight.
At the same time, boards of directors are expected to provide strategic direction and ensure adequate funding for cyber resilience initiatives.
Speaking on the need for a stronger cybersecurity regime during the unveiling of the framework, Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, said, “Given the increasing digitalisation of services, the rapid growth of data exchange, and the sophisticated nature of modern cyber threats, the need for a robust, adaptive and inclusive cybersecurity framework has become more urgent.”
He added, “Both state and non-state actors are targeting essential sectors—including ours—through coordinated cyber and physical attacks. These attacks frequently target control systems and data integrity, underscoring the critical risks posed to operational technology (OT), especially in our sector.”
“As cyber threats evolve, they endanger not only system performance but also human safety, amplifying the severity and consequences of disruptions to vital communications infrastructure. Cybersecurity now encompasses human safety and must address the real risk to people’s lives when a system is attacked or compromised.”
The Commission further stated that operators are required to develop comprehensive cybersecurity implementation plans, conduct periodic risk assessments, establish business continuity and disaster recovery procedures, and regularly test their cyber defence capabilities.
In addition, the framework makes cyber incident reporting compulsory. Licensees must inform the NCC’s CSIRT of any major cybersecurity breach within four hours of discovery, and provide a thorough post-incident analysis after mitigation is complete.
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