The Nigerian Government is poised to unlock the potential of satellite technology as a catalyst for youth development and national growth.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, gave this assurance during the Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited Accelerator Programme Demo Day, themed “Beyond the Horizon: Shaping Nigeria.”
The NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Demo Day showcased the progress and achievements of participating start-ups from the nine-month NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme, where they presented their innovative solutions. It also featured fireside chats and panel discussions on the role of public-private partnerships and entrepreneurship in driving space sector growth.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mr Mathew Adepoju, emphasised that space technology plays a transformative role across multiple sectors.
Nnaji, therefore, called on the youth to unlock Nigeria’s potential in space technology and broaden the innovation ecosystem.
He said: “We live in an age where space technology plays a transformative role across multiple sectors. From precision agriculture and healthcare to connectivity and disaster management, innovative solutions are becoming critical to our nation’s development.
“Today, we celebrate not just the remarkable achievements of these start-ups but the power of collaboration and entrepreneurship in driving our nation’s future.”
Nnaji further noted that the start-ups were not just building products but creating a new future that is more inclusive, sustainable, and competitive. He affirmed that the Accelerator Programme represents an important step in bridging the gap between innovation and industry, ensuring that the brilliant ideas generated translate into real-world solutions.
“As government leaders, our role is to create an enabling environment—one that fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors, between entrepreneurs and investors, and between local talent and global partners. Through the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator, we are opening doors for start-ups to gain market access, investment opportunities, and critical policy support,” Nnaji added.
The Minister also stated that the future of space technology in Nigeria is vast and promising, with the youth at the forefront of innovation, leapfrogging technological boundaries, and building solutions that impact not just Nigeria but the entire continent.
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The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odili, said the agency would support the innovators from the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator to access loans provided by the Federal Government. He also mentioned that the agency would provide capacity development and protect the intellectual property of the start-ups.
“My goal and commitment to this are that at least 10 percent of the people pitching today or being inducted into the accelerator programme will have access to this fund.
“One of the other things we are doing is capacity development. We are part of the United Nations Intellectual Property Office because some of these innovations need to be trademarked. They can protect their intellectual property and scale it as far and wide as they would like,” Odili explained.
The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, described the Demo Day as a milestone for the Agency towards supporting visionary entrepreneurs shaping the future of Nigeria’s space industry. She emphasised that the event was more than just a platform for pitches but a gathering of brilliant minds, innovators, industry leaders, and investors coming together to explore what lies beyond the horizon.
According to Egerton-Idehen, the start-ups represent the future of Nigeria’s space sector: “young, dynamic, and full of potential, entrepreneurship and innovation in action, with pitches from start-ups ready to transform the industry,” she added.
One of the innovators, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agroxchange, Mr. Adewale Adegoke, said their innovation addresses challenges in the agriculture sector by maximising yield and profitability for crop producers through earth observation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance technology.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Betalife Health, Mr. Mubarak Ayannniyi, explained that their solutions leverage AI to revolutionise blood supply management in Africa.
“We optimise blood inventory levels and distribution logistics, ensuring timely access to life-saving blood products,” he said.
Ayannniyi also expressed appreciation to NIGCOMSAT for providing a platform to showcase their solutions.
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