President Bola Tinubu has called on the National Assembly to prioritise funding for Nigeria’s space programme to ensure the nation plays a leading role in the fourth industrial revolution.
The President gave the charge on Monday at the celebration of the event, Nigeria’s 25 years in Space and Technology, organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency, at the Banquet hall of the State House, Abuja.
President Tinubu who was represented by Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, called for strengthening of the Act establishing the National Space Research and Development Agency to help the Nigerian space ecosystem become vibrant in its engagements, locally and internationally.
He further called for efforts to ensure the integration and mainstreaming of the private sector into the heart of Nigeria’s space program to enable the country to maximise opportunities in the coming years for national development.
According to him: “Great effort should be made to ensure that the private sector is meanstraim into the heart of our space program for us to do more in the coming years for our national development.
“I am glad that we have a good number of the legislators here to celebrate this milestone together. I therefore called upon our legislature to prioritise the funding for our space programme to ensure we play a leading role in this fourth industrial revolution. There is also a need to strengthen the Act that established NASRDA to help the Nigerian space ecosystem to be more vibrant in its engagements, locally and internationally.
“Similarly, the sector will require improved budgetary support to be able to accomplish its programmes, whose outcomes can bring massive socio-economic dividends to Nigeria and her citizens. This will also solidify Nigeria’s standing as a leading space-faring country in Africa and further boost her image to competitively attract foreign direct investment because of our locational advantage for cheaper launching services.
The President assured NASDRA and all stakeholders of his support in meeting future challenges and exploring better dividends of science and technology for Nigeria’s greatness.
He expressed hope in the nation’s space ecosystem, assuring that the years ahead will see Nigeria maintain her leading position in Africa as well as engage more with other space-faring nations.
His words: “The years ahead are likely to be very challenging because of the ever-changing developments in science and technology, but it is a journey that I am determined to robustly support. The sector promised to bring better and greater dividends to our country than had been experienced. It is my wish that the years ahead will see the Nigerian Space Ecosystem flourishing and doing much better, maintaining its leading position in Africa, and engaging more with the other space-faring nations to contribute to our national socioeconomic development and the safety of our nation and the world at large”.
President Tinubu lauded NASRDA’s efforts in engaging the benefits of space to further facilitate national development and noted the development and launch of major space programs such as the development of indigenous human capacities in space science and technology as well as the production and launch of space satellites to outer orbits.
The President said: “I am aware that in the quest by NASRDA to bring the benefits of space for national development, it has developed and launched major space programmes. Some of those programmes include the development of Indigenous human capacities in space science and technology; the production and launch of space satellites to outer orbits to provide various socioeconomic and environmental services; collaboration with the Nigerian Military to develop capacity in the use of space for tactical services; and increased involvement of the private-public, and institutional participation in space activities.
“Some of these efforts have yielded a lot of good dividends such as the creation of the Nigerian Communications Limited (NigComsat Ltd.), a leading institution in satellite communications in Africa. Similarly, through the strategic partnership with the Nigerian Military, the Defence Space Administration (DSA) was created to widen the use of space by the Nigerian Military, as it is done in the advanced countries of the world.
“Today, the Synergy between NASRDA, NigComsat Ltd., and DSA has led to tripodal support upon which an advanced and more robust national space programme will be built shortly.
“All these giant strides made by this important sector of our dear country are notable and noble with the launch of seven satellites and effort in top gear to launch an additional four satellites within the lifespan of this administration”.
Also speaking, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the projected $ 1.8 trillion global space economy will influence industries such as supply chain logistics, agriculture, defence and digital communications in the country.
Nnaji added that the targeted sectors are expected to generate over 60% of new economic value from space-enabled technologies for Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian_Communications_Satellite NIGCOMSAT, Mrs. Nkechi Egerton-Idehen said the anniversary of Nigeria’s 25years in Space and technology, is proof of Nigeria’s vision, resilience and unyielding commitment to harnessing the vast potential of space science and technology for national development.
Egerton-Idehen said Nigeria’s successful journey in the space industry has been a success story of the collaborative symphony of innovation, determination and excellence.
She applauded the synergy between NIGCOMSAT, the National Space Research and Development Agency and other partners adding that the stakeholders have unlocked new horizons in communication, security, agriculture and disaster management.
According to her: “Together, we have unlocked new horizons in communication, security, agriculture and disaster management, bringing real value to our people and positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s space ecosystem. From the launch of our first satellite, NigeriaSat-1, to the groundbreaking work of NASRDA, the critical innovations of the Defence Space Administration, and the reliable connectivity provided by NIGCOMSAT,
“Our journey has been a collaborative symphony of innovation, determination and excellence. Together, we have unlocked new horizons in communication, security, agriculture and disaster management, bringing real value to our people and positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s space ecosystem”.
Deji Elumoye
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