President Bola Tinubu has called on the legislature to prioritize funding and reforms for Nigeria’s space programme to ensure the nation remains a leader in Africa’s space industry. Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the critical role of a well-supported space sector in advancing Nigeria’s development and global competitiveness.
Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Tinubu stressed the need for legislative action to strengthen the NASRDA Act and enhance budgetary allocations for space initiatives. He underscored how a vibrant space sector could boost Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and attract foreign direct investment by leveraging the country’s geographical advantage for cost-effective satellite launches.
Tinubu acknowledged the transformative potential of space technologies, from improving navigation and communication to enhancing security operations. He praised the vision of Nigeria’s early leaders in establishing NASRDA in 1999 and noted the agency’s achievements over the past 25 years in positioning Nigeria as a leading space-faring nation in Africa.
As Chairman of the Space Council, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Nigeria’s space programme and fostering collaborations with other space-faring nations. He lauded the contributions of NASRDA, NigComsat Ltd., and the Defence Space Administration to the sector’s successes and urged continued innovation to maintain Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s space landscape.
Highlighting NASRDA’s future direction, its Director-General, Dr. Mathew Adepoju, unveiled a three-point agenda to boost global competitiveness, foster innovation, and promote private sector involvement. Adepoju emphasized the importance of cutting-edge research, robust public-private partnerships, and empowering the agency’s workforce to achieve these goals.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, called for sustained investment, policy support, and collaboration among sister agencies to drive economic growth and technological advancement in the space sector.
The event featured the unveiling of a 400-page compendium documenting NASRDA’s milestones and awards to international partners such as the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom, highlighting their contributions to Nigeria’s space programme.
