The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (FMIST), Chief Uche Nnaji has said that Nigeria is set to carry out its first human space flight, making history on the continent of Africa.
He made the statement at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) in Abuja.
Chief Nnaji while describing the event as momentous, said it couldn’t have come at a better time as a gift to the Space Agency, marking its 25th anniversary this year.
According to him, human space flight is a key objective of the nation’s Space Program, which was first scheduled for 2018, leaving Nigeria 6 years behind.
He added that, with the help of the partnership with SERA, the past delay can be corrected to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Minister congratulated the Director General of NASRDA and his team, saying it is an excellent start for his tenure as it affirms the President’s wise choice in appointing him to lead the Agency at this critical time. He recognized the critical role of Dr. Ann Agi from Learn Space Foundation in facilitating the collaboration, adding that the involvement of the private sector will go a long way in achieving our aspirations as a country and also boost our international reputation.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Asanye, gave a brief history of the meeting between the Former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy and the then Nigerian Head Of State, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa that centred on sending the first American and Nigerian to space before the end of the 60s. According to her, both Presidents were assassinated before the realisation of this dream, however America put its first astronaut in Space by 1969, while Nigeria is yet to realize the same dream. She therefore expressed appreciation over the collaboration between NASRDA and SERA, for making the dream a reality, adding that both teams involved in its realisation should keep up the good work as the Nation looks forward to having the first Nigerian in Space.
In his remarks, the Director General NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju while expressing his gratitude to the Honourable Minister for his support said the agency prides itself on being the Premier Space Agency in Africa, not just as a mere statement but from a position of truth. According to him, the collaboration marks the commencement of NASRDA’s effort to achieve its dream of human Space flight, which is one of the cardinal objectives of the National Space Policy and Program. He emphasised the role of SERA in providing an opportunity for collaboration, adding that their aspiration to democratize space exploration and exploitation for all nations of the world is a nobel fit. The Director General, however, assured that NASRDA will do all that is required to put the first Nigerian and Africans in space through the collaboration.
Co-founder of SERA, Sam Hutchinson, in his remarks that the Human Space Flight Program with NASRDA is part of the broader mission that would allow six astronauts from different nations that have never been to Space make their debut. He explained that SERA which is a private establishment has a mandate to democratize Space so that anyone can be an astronaut. According to him, the Nigerian populace will choose a candidate in an open democratic process that will be run by SERA. He added that Nigeria was nominated because the country had demonstrated strong interests in Space exploration and is a nation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
The co-founder of SERA, Joshua Skurla, called the event a milestone for the African continent and assured that his team would do all it takes to put the first Nigerian astronaut in Space. Also speaking at the event, the first SERA Astronaut, Victor Hespenia said a trip to Space has a great chance of changing the lives of young Nigerians, as it can inspire them to dream and create space-based inventions valuable to the growth of the country. He said young people should be exposed to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to secure Nigeria’s bright future in Space. The partnership is in recognition and appreciation of Nigeria’s success story so far in the area of Space Science and technology, and the Human Space Flight is at no cost to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Below are some sights from the event;
Ninma Yacim
Media and Corporate Communications
