Othniel Canice, Abuja
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has announced plans to formally transition to software-defined, next-generation satellites by 2028.
The Managing Director of Nigcomsat, Jane Egerton-Idehen, said this at the opening ceremony of the agency’s All Hands Strategy Retreat 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to her, the theme for the retreat “Aligning for the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainable Growth, speaks directly to where we are as an organisation… and where we must go.”
“We are preparing for the biggest technological transformation in our history. The transition to software-defined, next-generation satellites is to be launched by 2028. This requires not just new infrastructure but a new organisation, mindset, and culture.
“Because you cannot operate an advanced satellite with outdated habits. You cannot innovate with a rigid mindset. You cannot compete globally with a local operational style.”
The MD further highlighted the significant strides Nigcomsat is making in promoting Nigeria’s digital economy space.
“So what we have presented today is a roadmap for NIGCOMSAT to continue being at the centre for growth in the digital economy space. Not just in Nigeria but on the African continent.”
“But the two key things we mentioned, how do we align for the future? Innovation and sustainable growth. We want to be able to innovate in a way that impacts the entire Nigeria. The entire ecosystem, the digital space, from healthcare to education to agriculture.”
She added, “We said sustainable growth. That’s our big desire for NIGCOMSAT going forward. That we are profit-driven, that we can sustain our growth.
“Even as a government entity, we can generate revenue and sustain growth.
And also competing in that market even as a public entity. I think the interesting fact is that if we stay focused on our goals, we can see the impact. And Nigerians are responding.
“You can see some of the projects we are rolling out, massive projects. Both projects 774, the DSO project, are working with the defence working with the mobile operators. We are already beginning to cash in gains,” she concluded.
Similarly, the CEO of Data Science Nigeria, Dr Olubayo Adekaanbi, in his remarks, explained how the concept of a satellite-based economy will be beneficial to Nigeria’s digital economy.
“ From backbone to backhaul, to broadband, to broadcast, to bundle services, we can ensure that every Nigerian everywhere can enjoy the possibilities of technology, such that we can transform agriculture, health, and education, using the power of satellite.”
“And in doing that, we create new jobs, new levels of productivity, and more importantly, we ensure that no one is left behind in the new economy. And that is the advantage of satellite-based capability in enabling the existing technologies so that we can create more productivity and more value for our country,” he said.