President Tinubu advocates increased funding for Nigeria’s space programme
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu on Monday called on the Nigerian legislature to prioritize increased funding and reforms for the nation’s space programme.
Tinubu made this call during the opening of the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
He emphasized the crucial role a well-funded and empowered space sector plays in driving Nigeria’s development and ensuring the country remains a leader in Africa’s growing space industry.
Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, the President also emphasized the need for enhanced support to solidify Nigeria’s position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to foster greater international collaboration in space exploration.
He stated, “I am pleased to see many members of the legislature here to celebrate this milestone. I call upon our lawmakers to prioritize funding for our space programme, ensuring that we play a leading role in this Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“There is also a need to strengthen the Act that established NASRDA, helping the Nigerian space ecosystem become more vibrant in its local and international engagements. The sector will also require improved budgetary support to accomplish its programmes, which can bring massive socio-economic benefits to Nigeria and its citizens.”
Tinubu added, “This will solidify Nigeria’s standing as a leading space-faring country in Africa and enhance our ability to competitively attract foreign direct investment, thanks to our locational advantage for affordable launching services.”
The President expressed great satisfaction with the celebration of Nigeria’s 25 years of active participation in space exploration. He recalled how space activities were once dominated by major global powers, with little room for Africa, especially sub-Saharan nations, to play a significant role.
“Space, as it was known, was an exclusive domain of a few large countries, and Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, was not considered to have a major role,” he said.
However, he commended Nigeria’s early leaders for recognizing the vital role African nations could play in space exploration, a vision that led to the enactment of the Space Act and the establishment of NASRDA in 1999.
“Since NASRDA’s creation, the continued support of successive presidents, including my administration, and the backing from the Nigerian legislature have been instrumental in NASRDA’s achievements over the past 25 years,” the President noted. “Today, we celebrate the forthrightness and resilience of Africa’s foremost leader in space science and technology.”
Tinubu also highlighted the invaluable contributions of space technologies, such as improved understanding of Earth’s surface and advancements in communication and navigation systems, which have revolutionized global business and tactical security operations.
He stressed, “Space is an area of limitless opportunities, one that advanced nations are relentlessly exploring for their advantage. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in this global quest, as the knowledge gained can help solve internal challenges.”
As President and Chairman of the Space Council, Tinubu reaffirmed his continued support for Nigeria’s space programme to accelerate its technological and innovation development.
He congratulated the members of the Space Council and agencies responsible for space science, innovation, and development, as well as Nigerians for their unwavering dedication over 25 years.
The President also commended the leadership and staff of NASRDA, NigComsat Ltd., and the Defence Space Administration for their contributions to the sector’s successes.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by rapidly evolving advancements in science and technology, Tinubu expressed his commitment to supporting the sector and fostering a flourishing Nigerian space ecosystem.
He added that this would help sustain Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa while increasing collaboration with other space-faring nations, contributing to national socio-economic development and global security.
“I hereby declare this celebration open,” the President concluded.
The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Mathew Adepoju, emphasized that the silver jubilee milestone represents a call to greater responsibility. He outlined NASRDA’s three-point agenda for global competitiveness:
- Transformation for Global Competitiveness: “We are prioritizing cutting-edge research, robust partnerships, and innovative technologies to position NASRDA as a key player in the international space community, contributing meaningfully to solving global challenges such as climate change and technological advancements.”
- Unleashing the Greatness Within: “At the heart of NASRDA’s success is its brilliant and dedicated workforce. We are committed to creating an environment that enables staff to manifest their full potential, fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.”
- Mainstreaming the Private Sector: “Recognizing the pivotal role of the private sector in driving innovation and economic growth, we have established the Space Enterprise Department to develop a thriving Nigerian space economy ecosystem. Public-private partnerships are key to unlocking the vast opportunities in the space sector.”
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComsat), Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, also called for sustained investment, robust policy support, and deeper collaboration among agencies.
She said, “The global space industry is evolving rapidly, and the opportunities are boundless. This calls for sustained investment, robust policy support, and deeper collaborations to ensure that space technology continues to drive economic growth, foster security, and transform lives across Nigeria and beyond.”
As the weeklong celebration commenced, Egerton-Idehen added, “Let this 25-year journey not only mark our past achievements but also serve as a beacon guiding us toward an even brighter and more innovative future.”
The event’s highlight was the launch of a 400-page compendium documenting NASRDA’s activities over the past 25 years, along with awards presented to critical partners of Nigeria’s space programme, including the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom.
