MTN Nigeria has said it is leveraging fifth generation (5G) technology to drive economic growth, enhance lives and experiences in Nigeria, while empowering businesses to thrive in a digital world.
MTN made the remark at the groundbreaking 5GtoB launch event hosted by BAZE University, MTN and Huawei Nigeria, a historic event that witnessed Nigeria’s first-ever 5G2B initiative, especially in the education sector.
5G represents the next frontier in technology — a game-changer that promises to revolutionize industries, enhance education, and fuel innovation. The partnership with Baze University, Huawei and MTN symbolizes is aimed at harnessing the power of 5G to unlock opportunities for educational institutions and businesses across Nigeria.
“The synergy with this tripartite partnership is a transformative force that propels us toward a future where education knows no boundaries. This is a testament to what can be achieved when visionary organizations come together with a shared purpose,” chief enterprise business officer at MTN, Lynda Saint-Nwafor said at the Abuja event.
Key account director of Huawei Joey Wu described the tripartite partnership as a visionary journey to redefine the landscape of education in Nigeria. “The 5G Education Plan of BAZE University is not just a plan; it’s a bold step into the future,” he said.
Mr Wu said Huawei and MTN launched Nigeria’s first 5G network to promote the development of broadband services in Nigeria. He said it is not merely about faster internet speeds; it is about unlocking opportunities, fostering innovation, connecting people and ideas like never before.
“We will continue to explore the limitless possibilities that 5G technology offers to businesses and the education sector. Together, we will chart the course for a future where connectivity empowers, knowledge flourishes, and Nigeria continues its journey towards technological excellence,” Wu said yesterday.
Agreeing with Wu, Saint-Nwafor said Huawei brings onboard its expertise and legacy of driving digital transformation. Together, the full potential of 5G technology to enhance educational outcomes will be unlocked, she said.
A climax of the programme was the symbolic memorandum of understanding signing to cement the tripartite partnership.
BAZE University, with the support of MTN and Huawei, is building a 5G campus that goes beyond imagination. It’ s a campus that embraces the cutting-edge technologies of our time. The school authorities believe that Holographic projection and AR VR are not just buzzwords here; they are tools that are designed to revolutionize the way our students learn and interact with their environment.
Ag vice chancellor of Baze University, Prof Kathleen Ebele Okafor said the school like to be a trail blazer on everything it is doing. “And it is a privilege for us to partner with Huawei and MTN on this project,” she said.
Okafor highlighted some of the benefits of 5G technology to include the fact that it enables smart class, course duration is manageable due to fast access to notes in class and stable connectivity. “It enables teachers to give quiz online and conduct on the spot assessments. Virtual laboratory can work efficiently. Provide real time solutions. An instructor can teach different classes at the same time; instructor can engage students and monitor the engagement,” she said.
Deputy vice chancellor, IT research and Innovation of the school Dr Risian Abdulaziz Knaya said the university is now looking at unlocking the potentials of security and safety of the campus. “With this we can improve teaching and learning and improve health care education.
We look forward to do more. We look forward to launching this same thing in our university on Kano. Virtual reality classes can be done with this new technology to improve the wellbeing of elderly people. We want to support teaching beyond science and tech. We this we can have learning close to our heart,” he stated.
Wu said Huawei has been committed to providing connectivity for Nigerian since more than 20 years ago, adding that apart from that, “we are also committed to developing ICT talent for Nigeria.”