Fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme Cohort 5 examined 5G, smart city and network management technologies during a tour of Huawei facilities in Lagos, gaining insight into the infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The visit, organised recently by MTN Nigeria in collaboration with Huawei, formed part of the fellows’ immersive learning programme at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University.
At Huawei’s 5G Innovation Hub, the journalists were introduced to technologies spanning smart cities, power systems, cloud services, routers and antenna designs, offering a look at how telecommunications infrastructure is evolving beyond traditional voice and data services.
The demonstrations come as Nigerian telecom operators expand their 5G networks and technology providers develop new applications around high-speed connectivity, including enterprise services, cloud computing, automation and smart-city solutions.
MTN-MIP Cohort 5 fellow, Tolulope Ajibade, said the visit offered a closer understanding of the technologies supporting digital services used by consumers and businesses.
“It was really a mind-blowing experience. It’s like next-level technology, from the security infrastructure to security profiling and smart city solutions,” Ajibade noted.
She said the demonstrations also provided insight into the applications of 5G and the range of technologies being developed around next-generation connectivity.
Director of MTN Account Solutions, Huawei, Ma Tianyu, said the company was focused on adapting global technologies to local requirements.
“Huawei’s goal is to bridge the gap between global innovation and local demand by tailoring technology to meet Nigeria’s specific challenges,” Tianyu stated.
He said the company’s partnership with MTN was helping to bring technology solutions to Nigerians and support the development of digital experiences.
The fellows also visited Huawei’s Service Centre, where they received a briefing on network management and the systems required to maintain telecommunications infrastructure.
The centre houses about 850 Network Operations Centre engineers supporting organisations across telecommunications, finance, power, transport and public services.
Its teams operate around the clock across four shifts, monitoring networks, identifying faults, assigning resources and coordinating resolutions to minimise service disruptions.
The facility also has a dedicated DevOps team that customises monitoring systems to meet individual client requirements. The centre is ISO 27001 certified, while its employees hold security-related certifications.
The operations provide a behind-the-scenes view of the infrastructure required to keep telecommunications services running as businesses and consumers increasingly depend on digital connectivity.
Another MTN-MIP Cohort 5 fellow, Ijeoma Odia, said the tour broadened her understanding of Huawei’s role in telecommunications infrastructure and digital inclusion.
“It was quite enlightening and educational. I wouldn’t have known that Huawei is doing so much, especially with what the future holds for telecoms and its infrastructure, not just in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole and beyond,” Odia said.
She also highlighted Huawei’s work on lower-cost devices for consumers who may not be able to afford smartphones capable of supporting newer network technologies, saying such efforts could help expand participation in the digital economy.
One of the technologies showcased during the tour was Huawei Metavision 3D Video, which converts 2D footage into 3D visuals to deliver more immersive viewing experiences while lowering some of the costs of creating 3D content.
The facility tour was part of MTN-MIP’s broader experiential learning programme, which gives media professionals exposure to developments across telecommunications, technology, business and the wider digital economy.
Justice Okamgba, said 5G adoption remains relatively low across Africa, likely below 10 per cent, with the high cost of deploying the infrastructure and limited returns on investment among the factors slowing expansion.
“The finances required to deploy 5G infrastructure are monumental, while the return on investment is not yet strong enough to encourage telcos to prioritise widespread deployment. This tends to push operators towards high-value urban areas rather than the hinterlands, where the connectivity gap remains significant.
“It is also important to consider the number of people with 5G-enabled devices. That figure remains relatively small, and without affordable devices capable of accessing 5G networks, expanding coverage alone will not necessarily translate into widespread adoption,” he said.