The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba has emphasized the agency’s commitment to strategically develop cutting-edge research into tangible, market ready products for the economic development of our nation.
He stated this in Abuja during the opening ceremony of a two-day, in-house seminar on “Initiating Start-ups: From Innovations and R&D to Entrepreneurship” organized by the Department of Engineering and Space Systems of the Agency.
Dr Shaba stated that the agency, among other things, had in the past, developed a voting machine that did not make it to the end users; hence, it became imperative to organize the seminar to seek ways to move beyond research publications and journals to marketable end products.
He further explained that NASRDA’s significant strides in Satellite Technology, Space Exploration, and groundbreaking engineering projects over the years were made possible by the talents in the agency. These achievements, according to him, will not only propel the agency’s growth and standing; but will also build a system and develop an environment for startups that will lead to revenue generation, create employment, and curb the brain drain crisis presently bedevilling the country.
Dr. Shaba called on the participants to be attentive in order to gather adequate knowledge that will be beneficial, adding that a minimum of five (5) startups should be developed after the seminar.
The event, which was declared open by the Director General, had center directors and top management staff of the agency in attendance.
Speaking earlier, the head of the organizing committee, and Deputy Director, Engineering and Space Systems, Dr. John Momoh explained that the seminar serves as an opportunity for NASRDA’s engineers to develop impactful technologies for the socioeconomic benefits of the nation instead of merely engaging in research.
He added that the workshop is a stimuli and exposure to the field of research so as to meet the market value.
Dr. Momoh charged the engineers to brainstorm effectively and take all the lessons taught at the workshop seriously in order to meet the expected quota set by the Director General for the participants.
In his presentation, business consultant and resource person for the seminar, Mr. Olatunde Bankole Bakare, highlighted the exciting opportunities that abound in the space economy with practical strategies on how to navigate the complexities of the entrepreneurial landscape. He taught how such knowledge can be applied.
Mr. Bakare added that the space economy is the fusion of visionary thinking, technological advancements, and a strategic execution of the conceptualized ideas into marketable products.
He said the process from the inception of an idea to the establishment of a sustainable start-up requires not only innovative research but a profound understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Mr. Bakare further stated basic principles on how to create a startup using the value chain approach and encouraged the participants to key into the vision of the Director General of activating and promoting an entrepreneurial mindset through space exploration.
Below are pictures from the event.
Grace Jacob
Media and Cooperate Communications
