Nigeria to lead space-based technology in Africa as Tinubu approves two new Satellites in orbit
Nigeria is on the path to leading space-based technology following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of two new Satellites in orbit, revealed Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and
- From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja
Nigeria is on the path to leading space-based technology following President Bola Tinubu's approval of two new Satellites in orbit, revealed Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, on Monday.
According to Dr. Tijani, the President’s approval for the acquisition of Satellite 2A and 2B clearly demonstrates the present administration's commitment to building the future of space-based technology.
Dr. Tijani said that Nigeria already leads the West Africa sub-region with its Satellite presence in space, stressing that the two new Satellites would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria's digital economy and prosperity.
The Minister who didn't provide the cost implications of the new Satellites made the remarks at Continental Hotel, Abuja, while declaring open the 2nd Edition of Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat), "Satellite Week."
The event's theme was: "Harnessing space technology for extraordinary Nigeria." It was attended by the representatives of the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), among other dignitaries.
The Minister said it has become necessary for Nigeria to build solutions around Satellite technology to address security, agriculture, education, logistics, and health challenges. He said Satellite technology remains the most dependable source for intelligence gathering, remote sensing, and other needs for military and security operations across the globe.
The Minister said in today's world, satellite technology sits at the core of development as the world becomes more digitalized, with data and connectivity driving strategic Innovations, growth, and prosperity.
Besides the huge investments that will go into acquiring the two new satellites, Dr. Tijani said the federal government is currently unveiling a 12 billion naira research fund for the digital economy ecosystems.
The Minister said this move would strengthen evidence-based policymaking for the country's digital economy outlook, stressing that each research cluster involving about 36 professors is funded to the tune of 1.5 million dollars.
He explained that the project is promoted and funded under Project BRIDGE, a federal government initiative aimed at deploying 90,000km of fibre optic infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and foster economic prosperity.
He said Nigeria needs a strong link between industry and academia, stressing that no nation achieves greatness or becomes successful without prioritising huge investments in research.
The Managing Director/CEO of NigComSat, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the gathering was a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s collective will to harness the power of space for national development, and "a demonstration that the ambitions we have set for ourselves as a nation are being pursued with rigour, intentionality, and measurable results."
Mrs. Egerton-Idehen, who praised President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy for their unwavering support for NigComSat, noted that the them toe of this year's event theme, “Harnessing Space for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” captured "the moment we find ourselves in."
Mrs. Egerton-Idehen, who listed the achievements of NigComSat under her leadership within the past three years, said the global space economy is undergoing its most consequential transformation in decades, driven especially by the commercialisation of Low
Earth Orbit, the proliferation of satellite broadband, and the growing recognition that space-based infrastructure is inseparable from national competitiveness.
She said, "Nigeria has not been a spectator to this transformation. We have been an active participant, deliberately building the technical capacity, institutional frameworks, and innovation pipeline required to compete and lead.
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"That pipeline is represented on this stage today. The startups presenting their innovations before government officials, investors, and industry leaders are not peripheral to Nigeria’s space story; they are its next chapter."
She said NigComSat has embarked on the training of the next generation of innovators by conducting VSAT training programmes in
Adamawa, Jigawa, Cross River, and Enugu States, equipping young Nigerians with the technical skills to harness satellite technology to deliver solutions in connectivity, education, agriculture, and commerce.
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Waheed Shuaibu, represented by the Commander of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare, Major General Kennedy Osamwegie, stressed the significance of space-based technology for modern military operations.
He said space-based technology has not only become indispensable in modern warfare but also speaks to intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and other critical components of military operations across the globe.
General Shuaibu also said critical stakeholders should collaborate, given the nature of satellite technology, to unlock its opportunities and potential for Nigeria's growth and prosperity.
