President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of the country’s space assets, in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.
The move underscores his administration’s commitment to fully implementing Nigeria’s space policy as outlined in the revised 25-year roadmap for space development.
The approval was granted on Tuesday during the first meeting of the National Space Council, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Represented at the meeting by President Kashim Shettima, the President said; “I hereby approve that the cost of implementing the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.”
“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sidelines. We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value.
“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guesswork. This is how a nation turns attitude into advantage.”
He assured Nigerians that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to developing the country “by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation.”
“We shall be steadfast in providing the required support to the success of the space programme, as well as the relevant resources needed for its growth and the successful realisation of the mandate of the nation’s space agency,” President Tinubu explained.
He noted that the administration’s investment in the sector is driven by the opportunities in outer space “as a new frontier for human development, as a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic diversification.”
The President further explained that outer space provides “a unique challenge and platform for effective exploration and exploitation of the nation’s natural resources, as well as the protection of its environment.
“Space technology remains the foundation for cyber security and a vibrant digital economy. The space economy is rapidly growing and it’s expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars by 2040. 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. We are funding the confidence of a nation that refuses to be trapped by the limits of yesterday.”
Urging the nation’s space agency to remain committed to its mandate, the President directed it to “employ all legally available means to enforce the space regulation and spectrum management framework for a secure utilisation of space assets and resources over Nigeria on behalf of the National Space Council as provided in the NASDRA Act 2010”.
“I also direct all MDAs, stakeholders and the private sector to comply with the space regulatory framework. This directive also includes the timely release of all approved funds for this purpose by the Federal Ministry of Finance,” he further stated.
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Providing further details on the meeting, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Udeh, described the National Space Council session, chaired by the Vice President on behalf of the President, as historic, with landmark outcomes for the advancement of Nigeria’s space industry and ecosystem.
He said; “the Council approved the Conditions of Service and Staff Regulation of the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency to align with international best practices.”
According to him, the measure is aimed at ensuring competitive remuneration for professionals in the sector to prevent brain drain and retain Nigerian experts within the country.
“Another resolution passed by the Council is to set up a working group of space experts to work on the revised Nigeria 25-year space programme roadmap,” the Minister said.
Members of the working group include; the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Defence Space Agency and the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), alongside other stakeholders in the nation’s space ecosystem.
Mr Udeh also commended the Council for approving the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Ekpe.
He explained that the centre would provide Nigeria with the capacity to launch satellites into orbit, reducing reliance on foreign expertise for hosting and maintaining satellites.