Nigeria to optimise use of NigComSat-1R

The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Company (NIgComSat), Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, says the organisation is now better positioned to provide the nation with reliable internet services that will stimulate innovation and other advancements in the technology industry.

Egerton-Idehen stated this during her maiden tour of the company’s facilities in Lagos. She said NigComSat will double up on the ways it used to deliver services to the ICT sector, in order to match the aspirations of the present government on digital economy.

She gave assurances that the satellite company would help the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to build the necessary infrastructure that will fasten the technological growth of the country.

The CEO said the first step towards doing that would be to reposition the satellite company and put it in a position that will help to escalate broadband penetration to un-served and underserved areas of the country.

“Picture Aminu, Ada, or Ade on his/her remote farm, engaging on a marketplace platform with an AI chatbot to determine the current price of cash crops for his suppliers. Envision a Nigeria where the utilization of ICT impacts all spheres. A good example was the significant impact of ICT during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now, imagine a country, Nigeria, and a continent, Africa, where we utilize ICT to drive transparency in government and improve the quality and cost of public service delivery. This is not just the future; it is the goal. It will significantly increase ICT’s GDP contribution (17.8% in Q1 2023 and 19.54% in Q2 2023) for Nigeria.

“These are big and audacious goals, yet we are not the first to attempt them. In a similar stride, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are pursuing diversification despite their extensive oil and gas reserves. This is the picture of the future we want for Nigeria, with intense efforts from NIGCOMSAT in collaboration with other sister agencies, government bodies, and the private sector,” she said.

Edtech solution

NIGCOMSAT unveiled its Educational Technology (EdTech) solutions during a strategic meeting in Abuja last week as the first action to back up Egerton-Idehen’s words and promises.

Also Read: NIGCOMSAT Seeks Partnership With Gombe State To Enhance SME Operations

According to the company, the solutions will utilize satellite broadband connectivity to revolutionize education in Nigeria.

At the Stakeholders’ Breakfast meeting today, in addition to launching the revitalised traditional services, @NigComSat1R also unveiled its latest value-adding services, an AI Chatbot, Ayesha, and some EdTech solutions for schools, using its Ka-Band service. pic.twitter.com/ZtHws3Zr5x

— NIGCOMSAT (@NigComSat1R) November 10, 2023

At the meeting themed, “NIGCOMSAT is open for business” the company’s MD said the desire to advance education through tech was what spurred this edtech project from NIGCOMSAT.

“By providing schools with a bundled solution, access to affordable reliable internet, and leveraging edtech resources and interventions designed in alignment with the Nigerian curriculum, a more equitable and effective education can be achieved,” she said.

According to the Executive Director of Marketing and Business Development of NIGCOMSAT, Mr. Najeem Salaam, NIGCOMSAT now has a new goal with its upgraded broadband and broadcasting capacity platform to provide Nigerians with better access to opportunities.

“NIGCOMSAT is therefore open for even greater business opportunities for all. The Nigeria of our dream is achievable, and we have started doing the work already. NIGCOMSAT is ours together as Nigerians, and we must grow our own and make the best out of it,” he said.

NigComSat-1R satellite, which has 3 years left to complete its lifespan, is a replacement for the failed NigComSat-1 which was launched on May 13, 2007 following a contract signed by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, NIGCOMSAT Limited, and China Great Wall Industry Corporation, (CGWIC).

Officers from the China Great Wall Industry Corporation, led by Liu Lan, are visiting NIGCOMSAT Ltd. They met with the MD, @nk_amadi, upon their arrival.

The CGWIC, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, manufactured the NigComSat-1R satellite. pic.twitter.com/I3ZZuuoopC

— NIGCOMSAT (@NigComSat1R) November 15, 2023

The satellite was designed to function in the areas of communications, internet services, health, agriculture, environmental protection, and national security before completing its 15-year lifespan.