Tinubu approves 4 replacement satellites
The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), Dr. Mathew Adepoju, announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of four additional satellites for Nigeria.
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Dr. Adepoju made this revelation on Saturday at the 8th Brig. Gen. Michael Agu (rtd) annual distinguished lecture and awards ceremony. The event, themed “Nigeria’s 21 Years in Space: Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects,” was held at the Obasanjo Space Centre, Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja.
According to Dr. Adepoju, some Nigerian satellites have been deorbited, while others are in the process of deorbiting. This underscores the need for replacement satellites to ensure Nigeria remains relevant in global space development.
Regarding the four new satellites approved by President Tinubu, Dr. Adepoju explained that three will be optical satellites, while one will be a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, replacing “cintetic Reader satellite.” These satellites will enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in space exploration and development.
He said President Tinubu’s approval demonstrates his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s technological infrastructure, aligning with his Renewed Hope Agenda ¹.
Former President Obasanjo emphasized the significance of this development, noting that Nigeria still has progress to make in achieving its goals.
‘’One of the first things that was presented to me on the assumption of office was the need to replace our aging satellites. And, of course, most of our satellites have been deorbited. But the president has stood in part for President Nkrumah and other great leaders; he has approved four new satellites.
‘’Among these satellites, we have three optical satellites, and we have one synthetic and partial radar satellite. When I became the director general of the space agency, I made my intention clear that I did leave my wife and my children in England and the U.S. to come and be dancers in Nigeria. That’s why I told my staff, that my intention is based on three pillars: Transformation, and strengthening, under the transformation agenda, it is to transform NARSDA towards global competitiveness.
And under the Star program, I intend to unleash the greatness within our staff to manifest their dreams. A lot of dreams are going to be manifested.
‘’It is the time for NARSDA and the Defense Space Administration staff to come to reality. More importantly, it is to mainstream the private sector into Nigeria’s space ecosystem. Fact states that government alone cannot drive the national space program.
‘’The private sector involvement is highly needed. NARSDA is through the Chinese-Russian program, and Nigeria is following that trend. We shall open the space for active participation of the private sector in Nigeria’s space ecosystem. ‘’We have put our heads together under the leadership of DG NARSDA, MD NIGCOMSAT and the Chief of the space acquisition to put the program of Nigeria in space in 25 years. It’s coming out between 25th and 30th of November 2024. I use this opportunity to invite us to this program because at that program, we intend to bring an exhibition of what our engineers have been doing and what we have produced and supplied.’”
Obasanjo said the space program at conception was programmed to launch a series of satellites in a sequential pattern by both Chinese and Nigerian engineers and empower Nigeria engineers to take full control after the launch of the second satellite.
‘‘The program we had for the space program when we established this centre if it was followed by now, Nigeria would have launched many satellites. We had everything put in place to launch different satellites. It was not just a program but implantation started. I went to China and saw them.
‘‘The idea was after the first and second by Nigeria and Chinese engineers, the third would be launched by only Nigerian engineers but that did not happen. It is not enough to have good policies and Nigeria is not in short supply of good policies. Go to our archives, it is a burial ground of unexecuted policies and therefore we are where we should not be.’’
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Oguntola said over the past two decades, Nigerian engineers and scientists have worked tirelessly, launching satellites and collaborating with international space agencies, and advancing our capacity in satellite technology.
‘’As we celebrate these achievements, it is critical to acknowledge that space technology is not just about launching objects into orbit, but it is majorly about the applications and opportunities that it creates for the economy, transforming sectors like agriculture, environmental management, national security, health care, and education, amongst others.
This is a call for greater achievements. While we have made commendable progress, the next two decades must be defined by even greater achievements.
‘’We must move beyond satellite launches and deepen our participation in advanced space exploration and innovation. Nigerian engineers, scientists, and technologists can lead Africa into a new era of space discoveries.’’
To achieve this objective, she charged Nigerian engineers to take ownership of this mission, and in particular our institution, the Institution of Space Engineers.
‘’We must commit to continuous learning and collaborations with global partners. The next 20 years should witness landmark contributions from our engineering community that will put Nigeria on the global space map and generate economic benefits that resonate across industries. Now the role of government in empowering engineers. ‘’It is essential to support the training and development of Nigerian engineers by providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities to excel. We must reduce dependence on foreign experts and empower our homegrown talents to lead national and international space initiatives. Celebration and focus on the future.’’
The event highlighted Nigeria’s 21-year journey in space exploration, emphasizing achievements, challenges, and prospects for future growth.
High point of the event was the conferment of fellowships and awards to distinguished Nigerians, including President Obasanjo, who was conferred with the Grand Commander of Nigerian Space Exploration award.
Other awardees at the occasion include: Defense Space Administration, pioneer, Air Vice Marshal T.V. Udo (rtd) and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd)among others.
