The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, has reaffirmed the critical role of a unified front among stakeholders in the Space ecosystem to pool resources, knowledge, and expertise, for the enhancement of Nigeria’s influence in global space affairs.
He made the call in Abuja during a visit by the Space Agency to NigComSat limited.
Dr. Adepoju who emphasized that collaboration between keyplayers in space, is pertinent for the sector to realize its full potential, added that as the country celebrates 25 years in Space, it’s time for stakeholders within the industry to complement one another rather than compete.
Dr. Adepoju highlighted the need for engineering a robust collaborative framework to ensure Nigeria’s leadership in space science, technology, and innovation across Africa.
According to him, the Nigerian space sector is positioned to play a transformative role in driving socio-economic development in the country and the African continent as a whole.
Emphasizing NASRDA’s three-point agenda under his administration, Dr. Adepoju reiterated that the agency’s core objectives are aligned towards transformation of the Nigerian Space sector towards global competitiveness, prioritizing staff welfare as well as mainstreaming the private sector into Nigeria’s space programme.
Dr. Adepoju who alluded to the negative media coverage surrounding the deorbited NigComSat-1 satellite, emphasized the importance of focusing on positive outcomes and celebrating achievements within the space sector rather than magnifying failures.
He noted that the event ultimately led to valuable infrastructure development, expertise in satellite communications, capacity-building opportunities for engineers, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s space industry in the process.
Dr. Adepoju who appreciated the DG Nigcomsat for her receptiveness, highlighted the need for creating a robust collaborative framework to ensure Nigeria’s leadership in space science, technology, and innovation across Africa.
According to him, the Nigerian space sector is positioned to play a transformative role in driving socio-economic development in the country and the African continent as a whole.
Dr. Adepoju said, it is imperative for stakeholders, such as NASRDA, NIGCOMSAT, Defence Space Administration and the private sector, to come together as a formidable platform so as to strengthen Nigeria’s influence in global space affairs.
Speaking earlier, NigComSat’s Managing Director, Mrs. Nkechi Edgerton-Idehen, expressed the company’s enthusiasm and readiness to play its part in repositioning the Nigerian Space program for the benefit of Nigerians.
Idehen who described NASRDA’s visit as a “homecoming and family visit” appreciated the NASRDA Boss for his dedication to encouraging a peaceful collaborative environment for the benefit of Nigeria.
According to her, NASRDA is not only a partner but also a foundational entity that has laid the groundwork for what NigComSat is today.
She reaffirmed Nigcomsat’s commitment to aligning its goals with NASRDA’s, to collectively work, towards national progress.
Other directors from both sides also expressed their elation towards the dawn of a peaceful partnership and promised to give their maximum support to the realization of the Nigerian space program.
Below are sights from the event.
Ninma Yacim, Media and Corporate Communications.
