Fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN-MIP) Cohort 5 have gained first-hand insight into the technology and infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital ecosystem during an experiential tour of Huawei facilities in Lagos.
The tour, organised by MTN Nigeria in collaboration with Huawei, formed part of the fellows’ immersive learning experience with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University.
At Huawei’s 5G Innovation Hub, the fellows were introduced to a range of solutions spanning smart cities, power, cloud services, routers and antenna designs. The demonstrations provided insight into the technologies supporting MTN’s evolution from a connectivity provider to a broader digital services enabler.
For Tolulope Ajibade, one of the Cohort 5 Fellows, the visit offered a new perspective on the scale of technological advancement taking place behind the digital services Nigerians interact with every day.
Describing the experience as “mind-blowing,” Ajibade said, “It was really a mind-blowing experience. It’s like next-level technology, from the security infrastructure to security profiling and smart city solutions. Just getting to learn about 5G, what it can do, the innovation that comes with it, and all of the different parts that I experienced was really next level.”
Speaking on Huawei’s approach to transforming digital lifestyles globally, Ma Tianyu, Director, MTN Account Solutions, Huawei, said the company’s focus was on adapting global innovations to address local needs.
“Huawei’s goal is to bridge the gap between global innovation and local demand by tailoring technology to meet Nigeria’s specific challenges. Through our partnership with MTN, we are bringing the latest technology solutions to Nigerians and supporting the evolution of digital experiences in the country,” he said.
The fellows also received a lecture from Huawei’s team before proceeding to the company’s Service Centre, a facility that houses 850 Network Operations Centre (NOC) engineers supporting organizations across the telecommunications, finance, power, transport and public service sectors.
The Centre’s support team provides 24/7 monitoring across four shifts, including monitoring MTN’s nationwide network infrastructure. The team identifies network issues, assigns resources for resolution and works to minimize downtime, following international process standards and Huawei’s global best practices.
The facility also has a dedicated DevOps team that customizes its monitoring systems to meet client requirements. The centre is ISO 27001 certified, while its employees hold security certifications.
For Ijeoma Thomas Odia, another MTN-MIP Cohort 5 Fellow, the visit highlighted the extent of Huawei’s investment in research, development and digital inclusion, particularly its efforts to make technology more accessible.
Reflecting on the experience, Odia said, “It was quite enlightening and educative. 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. What also captured my attention was the fact that low-end phones are produced for Nigerians who cannot afford devices that accommodate LTE, 4G and 5G, helping to ensure that more people are included in the digital landscape and become more productive.”
Among the technologies showcased during the tour was Huawei Metavision 3D Video, which is designed to enhance video experiences through richer 3D content while reducing production costs through 2D-to-3D conversion. The demonstration provided the fellows with an insight into how emerging technologies are being developed to transform digital content and experiences. The facility tour forms part of MTN-MIP’s broader immersive learning approach, which gives media professionals direct exposure to developments across telecommunications, technology, business and the wider digital ecosystem.
