Tinubu seeks better funding for Nigeria’s space programme

President Bola Tinubu on Monday, called on the legislature to prioritise increased funding and reforms for the nation’s space programme.

Tinubu made this call when he declared open the 25th anniversary of the National Space Research and Development Agency at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

He emphasised the role of a well-funded and empowered space sector in driving Nigeria’s development and ensuring the country remains a leader in Africa’s space industry.

Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, the President also highlighted the need for enhanced support to solidify Nigeria’s position in the fourth industrial revolution and foster greater international engagement in space exploration.

He said, “I am glad that we have a good number of the legislature here to celebrate this milestone together. I, therefore, call upon our legislatures 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 its 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.”

Tinubu expressed satisfaction at the celebration of Nigeria’s 25 years of active participation in space exploration.

He highlighted how space activities were once dominated by major global powers, with little consideration for Africa, particularly sub-Saharan nations, to play significant roles, saying, “Space, as it was previously known, was an exclusive business of some big countries, and countries in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, were not considered to have a major role to play.”

However, he praised the foresight of Nigeria’s early leaders in recognising the vital role African nations could play in space exploration and the potential benefits that could be realised. This vision, he said, led to the enactment of the Space Act and the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency in 1999.

“Since the creation of NASRDA, the continuous support of the succeeding Presidents, and that of my administration, backed by the Nigerian legislative support, has been instrumental in the giant strides that NASRDA has made and the lofty heights it has attained within its 25 years of its existence.

“It is evident that we are all gathered here today to celebrate the forthrightness and tenacity of Africa’s foremost runner and leading light in space science and technology,” he said.

From enabling a better understanding of Earth’s surface through space observations to revolutionising global communication and navigation systems, space technologies have become indispensable, Tinubu argued.

“Through space observations, activities on Earth surfaces, such as air, land and water are better known, with such knowledge providing the best solutions that can be deployed to solve the issues that may arise from time to time.

“Communication instruments in the space orbits have caused a significant shift in the business paradigm globally and are becoming increasingly indispensable in offering air, land and marine navigational services. It is also becoming impossible to do any significant tactical security operations without deploying space capability.

“Therefore, space is an area of limitless opportunities and one which the advanced countries of the world are relentlessly discovering how the opportunities can be tapped for their advantage,” said Tinubu, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lag in this global quest of discovering space as the knowledge from such discoveries can help in solving internal issues.

As President and Chairman of the Space Council, the Nigerian leader said he would continue to support the space programme to accelerate its technological and innovation development.

Tinubu congratulated all members of the Space Council and the agencies responsible for space science, innovation and development, and Nigerians for their unwavering dedication and perseverance over 25 years of the national space programme.

He also commended the leadership and staff of NASRDA, NigComsat Ltd., and the Defence Space Administration for their contributions to the sector’s successes.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by rapidly evolving advancements in science and technology, the President expressed his determination to continue supporting the sector.

Tinubu conveyed his hopes for a flourishing Nigerian space ecosystem to sustain the country’s leadership position in Africa and foster increased collaboration with other space-faring nations, contributing to national socio-economic development and global security.

On his part, the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Mathew Adepoju, said the silver jubilee milestone is a call to more responsibility. Therefore, he enumerated the agency’s three-point agenda for global competitiveness.

Adepoju explained, “Transformation for Global Competitiveness: We have prioritised cutting-edge research, robust partnerships and innovative technologies to position NASRDA as an active player in the international space community. We aim to ensure that the Nigerian space programme contributes meaningfully to solving global challenges, from climate change to technological advancement in all sectors.

“⁠Unleashing the Greatness Within: At the heart of NASRDA’s success is its brilliant and dedicated workforce. My administration is committed to creating an environment that enables staff to manifest their full potential and promotes a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth. We will empower our team to dream big and execute bold ideas.

“Mainstreaming the Private Sector: Recognising the pivotal role of the private sector in driving innovation and economic growth, we established the Space Enterprise Department to develop a thriving Nigerian space economy ecosystem. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering belief that public-private partnerships are key to unlocking the vast opportunities in the space sector.”

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, called for sustained investment, robust policy support and deeper collaborations among sister agencies.

Egerton-Idehen said, “As we reflect on past achievements, this occasion also challenges us to look ahead. The global space industry is evolving rapidly, and the opportunities are boundless.

“This calls for sustained investment, robust policy support, and deeper collaborations to ensure that pace technology continues to drive economic growth, foster security, and transform lives across Nigeria and beyond.

“As we embark on this weeklong celebration, may it inspire a renewed determination to pursue even greater achievements in the years to come. Let this 25-year journey not just be a mark of our past but a beacon guiding us toward an even brighter and more innovative future.”

The highlight of Monday’s event was the unveiling of a 400-page compendium of the activities of the National Space Research and Development Agency in the last 25 years and awards to critical partners of Nigeria’s space programme: the United States of America, China, India, the United Kingdom, among others.