President Bola Tinubu on Monday called on the Nigerian 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 critical role of a well-funded and empowered space sector in driving Nigeria’s development and ensuring the country remains a leader in Africa’s burgeoning 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 legislators here to celebrate this milestone together. I, therefore, call upon our legislators 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.”
President Tinubu expressed deep 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.
The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Mathew Adepoju, said the silver jubilee milestone was a call to more responsibility.
Therefore, he enumerated the agency’s three-point agenda for global competitiveness.
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.”
The highlight of Monday’s event was the launch 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.