Tinubu Unveils Nigeria's Satellite Launch Plan Under Renewed Hope

Nigeria to Launch 4 Satellites Under Renewed Hope Agenda

“It is obvious that Nigeria can not afford to lag in this global quest of discovering space and that the...”

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to launch four satellites in Nigeria, boosting the country's space program and ambitions in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

President Bola Tinubu has made a bold commitment to Nigeria's space program, pledging to launch four satellites within the timeline of his administration's Renewed Hope agenda. This promise was made on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary of Nigeria in space, held in Abuja. The event was organized by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Defence Space Administration (DSA).

According to President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Nigeria's foray into space was made possible by the foresight of its leaders. He noted that space exploration was previously the exclusive domain of developed countries, but Nigeria has been able to break into this field.

The launch of the four satellites is a significant milestone in Nigeria's space program, and it's expected to bolster the country's technological infrastructure. This initiative is part of the Renewed Hope agenda, which aims to drive economic growth and development in Nigeria.

The vision of Nigeria's leaders led to the creation of the Space Act, which ultimately resulted in the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in 1999.

“Space is an area of limitless opportunities, and advanced countries of the world are relentlessly discovering how opportunities can be tapped to their advantage,” he said.

“It is obvious that Nigeria can not afford to lag in this global quest of discovering space and that the knowledge from such discoveries can help solve her internal issues for national development.”

According to him, NASRDA has collaborated with the Nigerian Military to develop key space programs, focusing on building capacity for using space technology in tactical operations and other areas.

“Today, the synergy between NASRDA, NigComSat and DSA has led to tripodal support upon which an advanced and more robust national space programme will be built in the near future,” Tinubu noted.

“All these giant strides made by this important sector of our dear country are notable and noble, with the launch of seven satellites and efforts on top gear to launch an additional four satellites within the lifespan of hus administration.

“Great effort should be made to ensure that the private sector is mainstreamed into the heart of our space programme so that we can do more in the coming years for our national development.”

President Bola Tinubu has urged lawmakers to prioritize funding for space programs, ensuring Nigeria plays a leading role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This call to action is crucial for Nigeria's future in space exploration and development.

To further boost Nigeria's space ecosystem, President Tinubu emphasized the need to strengthen the NASRDA Act. This move aims to increase engagement, both locally and internationally, and position Nigeria as a key player in the global space industry.

He said: “Similarly, the sector will require improved budgetary support to be able to accomplish its programmes, whose outcomes can bring massive socioeconomic 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.”