Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of the country’s space assets in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gave the directive on Tuesday during the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“I hereby direct that the cost of the implementation of the revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.
” Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sidelines.
“We will participate, compete, and contribute. Our ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability, and national value.
“We must build a programme that serves the farmer, teacher, entrepreneur, soldier, and researcher alike.
“This is how a nation turns altitude into advantage,” he said
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to realising Nigeria’s space policy and programme, aligning efforts with the revised 25-year roadmap for space development.
He assured that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to developing society by engaging human resources to advance national socio-economic improvement.
“We shall provide the required support and necessary resources for the success and growth of the space programme, ensuring the mandate of the nation’s space agency is realised,” he added.
The president noted that his administration’s investments in the sector are prompted by the opportunities in outer space.
According to him, outer space represents opportunities for human progress and enhances technology and economic development.
He said outer space presents unique challenges and opportunities for exploration, resource development, and environmental protection.
Space technology, encompassing satellite systems, GPS, and space-based communication infrastructure, remains the foundation for cybersecurity and a vibrant digital economy. The space economy—the sector encompassing activities related to the development, launch, and operation of space-based assets—is rapidly growing and is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040.
” When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream.
“We are funding precision in agriculture, border security, early warning systems, smarter cities, safer skies, stronger communications, and a globally competitive digital economy.
” We are funding the confidence of a nation that refuses to be trapped by the limits of yesterday,” he said
Tinubu urged the space agency to be alive to its mandate of ensuring that space assets and resources over Nigeria are used responsibly.
He directed the agency to use all lawful means to enforce rules on space use and manage radio frequencies, ensuring the safe use of space resources as required by the NASDRA Act of 2010.
“I also direct all MDAs, stakeholders, and the private sector to comply with the space regulatory framework.
” This directive also includes timely release of all approved funds for this purpose by the Federal Ministry of Finance,” the President further stated.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Udeh, described the National Space Council meeting chaired by the Vice-President, on behalf of the President, as historic.
He said the outcome of the meeting, which he described as“landmark,” will improve Nigeria’s space industry and ecosystem.
Udeh disclosed that the meeting approved the “Conditions of Service and Staff Regulation” of the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency to align with international best practices.
He explained that the development is intended to give those working in the space industry a competitive level of remuneration.
This, according to him, will ensure that Nigerian experts in the space industry and ecosystem do not leave the country but are retained to maintain and sustain the nation’s space programme.
“Another resolution passed by the Council is to set up a working group of space experts to work on the revised Nigeria 25-year space programme roadmap,” the Minister disclosed.
He said members of the working group included the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Defence Space Agency, the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), and other stakeholders in the Nigerian space ecosystem.
He also appreciated the council for approving the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Epe.
According to him, the centre would provide Nigeria with the capacity to launch satellites into orbit, while reducing dependence on foreign expertise not only for hosting the satellites but also for maintaining them.
The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju, said President Tinubu had approved the procurement process for four new satellites.
He explained that three of the satellites will take pictures of the land from space (optical observation), and one will use radar to capture images at any time of day, even at night or in bad weather (Synthetic Aperture Radar).
According to him, it will significantly boost national security, maritime surveillance, agriculture and the blue economy.
