President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets, signalling a bold push to position the country as a competitive force in the global space economy.
Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, gave the directive on Tuesday during the inaugural meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja — a gathering that officials described as historic.
The president instructed that the cost of implementing the revised 25-year roadmap for Nigeria’s national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.
He also directed the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, to employ all legally available means to enforce the country’s space regulation and spectrum management framework, in line with the NASRDA Act 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,” Tinubu stated.
Speaking with unmistakable urgency, the president declared that Nigeria would not be a spectator in the unfolding global space race.
“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sideline. We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value,” he said.
Tinubu framed the administration’s investment in space not as an abstract scientific venture, but as a practical tool for national development — one that would serve farmers, teachers, soldiers, entrepreneurs and researchers alike.
“When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream. We are funding precision in agriculture and security in our borders; we are funding early warning systems against floods and fires, smarter cities, safer skies, stronger communications and a digital economy that can compete with the best in the world,” he added.
The president noted that the global space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040, underscoring the economic urgency behind Nigeria’s renewed focus on the sector.
Also Read: EU, NASRDA partner on satellite agriculture project
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Kingsley Udeh, said the council’s meeting yielded several landmark resolutions.
Among them was the approval of a Conditions of Service and Staff Regulation for NASRDA, designed to align remuneration with international best practices and stem the tide of brain drain within Nigeria’s space industry.
“This is intended to give those working in the space industry a competitive level of remuneration and ensure that Nigerian experts do not leave the country but are retained to maintain and sustain the nation’s space programme,” Udeh explained.
The council also approved the setting up of a working group of space experts to develop the revised 25-year space programme roadmap. Members of the group include NASRDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Defence Space Agency, the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), and other key stakeholders in the ecosystem.
New Space Centre and Four Satellites
In a significant operational announcement, the council approved the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Epe, Lagos State. The facility is expected to give Nigeria the capacity to independently launch satellites into orbit, reducing reliance on foreign expertise for hosting and maintenance.
NASRDA Director-General, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, disclosed that President Tinubu has also approved the procurement of four new satellites — three optical observation platforms and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite capable of capturing high-resolution imagery both day and night.
According to Adepoju, the SAR satellite will significantly enhance national security, maritime surveillance, agriculture monitoring and blue economy management.
The National Space Council meeting marks the first formal convening of the body under the Tinubu administration and signals a recalibration of Nigeria’s approach to space development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The administration has consistently cited outer space as a critical frontier for technological advancement, economic diversification, and environmental protection.
Crediblenewsng.com
