The Director General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has called for strengthened collaboration within Nigeria’s geospatial sector as a key driver for national development and global competitiveness.

Dr. Adepoju made this known while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Cartographic Association (NCA) during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

He emphasized that the geospatial sector remains critical in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, particularly in infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, and national security.

According to him, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders is essential to fully harness the sector’s potential in delivering sustainable solutions.

Highlighting NASRDA’s growth over the years, Dr. Adepoju noted the Agency’s expanding technical capacity, including the establishment of 28 laboratories and centres, specialised training institutes, and a workforce of about 6,000 personnel.

He added that the Agency is home to over 300 PhD holders and more than 1,000 Master’s degree holders, reflecting its strong commitment to research, innovation, and impactful geospatial service delivery.

The Director General commended the NCA for its remarkable progress over the past decade, describing it as a testament to resilience, professionalism, and sustained innovation within the geospatial community.

He also acknowledged the Association’s significant contributions to modern mapping, geospatial data systems, and national planning initiatives.

Reaffirming NASRDA’s commitment to strategic partnerships, Dr. Adepoju stressed the importance of deepening collaboration to leverage collective expertise for national development and to position Nigeria more competitively on the global stage.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Cartographic Association (NCA), Dr. Innocent Bello, lauded the Director General for his visionary leadership and achievements in advancing Nigeria’s space and geospatial ecosystem.

He noted that the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration in areas such as mapping, geospatial data sharing, and capacity building.

Dr. Bello further emphasized the need for sustained synergy between both organizations to drive innovation and support national development goals.

Below are pictures from the visit:

Reporter: Hadiza Yusuf
Editor: Joy Opaluwa
Media and Corporate Communications