The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Kingsley Udeh, SAN, has called on experts and stakeholders in Africa’s space science and technology sector to build on existing achievements, set measurable targets and develop strategic pathways that will promote sustainable development across the continent.
Chief Udeh made the call at the opening ceremony of the 10th AFRIGEO Symposium, themed “Earth Observation for a Resilient Africa,” held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites (NACCAS), Abuja.
The Minister said the calibre of participants at the symposium was a clear indication that Africa has the scientific expertise and technological capacity required to generate reliable data through Earth observation and geospatial technologies for effective decision-making and improved quality of life.
He noted that space science and technology remains a critical pillar of modern development, stressing the need for sustained partnerships among African countries and institutions to address the continent’s pressing challenges, particularly in agriculture, security and environmental monitoring.
While declaring the symposium open, the Minister charged the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Defence Space Administration (DSA) and other relevant stakeholders to take the lead in strengthening continental collaboration in space science and technology.
According to him, stronger cooperation among African countries and institutions is essential to unlocking the continent’s development potential and ensuring that space technology is effectively deployed to address its unique challenges.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, described the 10th AFRIGEO Symposium as a significant milestone in Africa’s scientific development, marking a decade of collaboration among African scientists, governments and other stakeholders towards advancing scientific knowledge and technological development on the continent.
The Governor commended NASRDA for its partnership with the Benue State Government in strengthening the agricultural sector, while calling for the wider application of space technology in security and other strategic areas of development.
In his opening remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive of NASRDA, Prof. Matthew Adepoju, described the 10th edition of AFRIGEO as a landmark not only for the symposium but also for Africa’s development aspirations.
He said the challenges confronting the continent are interconnected and therefore require coordinated technological solutions.
Prof Adepoju emphasised the need for African countries to integrate satellite systems and other space capabilities to generate timely, accurate and relevant data that can support governments in addressing shared developmental challenges.
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Major General Philip Ilodibia, described Earth observation as an increasingly strategic tool for modern governance and development.
He pointed that Earth observation has the capacity to transform scientific innovation into practical solutions, particularly in addressing complex security and national development challenges, adding that the Armed Forces support the deployment of space-based platforms capable of providing multidimensional solutions to the nation’s security and development challenges.
Goodwill messages from experts and stakeholders drawn from across the global space ecosystem reiterated the need for greater investment in Earth observation and geospatial technologies, with participants describing the symposium as a reflection of Africa’s growing ambition to secure a strategic place in the global space science and technology community.
Below are pictures from the event.
Reporter: Daniel Abdullahi
Editor: Joy Atama-Opaluwa
Photo credit: Ibrahim Zakari
Media and Corporate Communications
