The Director General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has been conferred with the Leadership Peace Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development, innovation, and the promotion of ethical leadership.
The award was presented by the Coalition of Nigerian Women Forum for Peace and Good Governance during a courtesy visit to NASRDA’s headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the honour, Dr. Adepoju reaffirmed NASRDA’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that strengthen the Agency’s impact and further drive national development.
He noted that collaborations with institutions that share NASRDA’s vision are essential to advancing science, technology, and socio-economic transformation across the country.
Describing members of the delegation as young, intelligent, and purpose-driven women, the NASRDA boss applauded their passion for societal upliftment.
He encouraged members of the group to integrate practical skill acquisition into their programmes, stressing that organizations guided by integrity and purpose help close social gaps and complement government efforts toward inclusive growth.
Dr. Adepoju emphasized the importance of girl-child education, stating that empowering young girls through access to quality learning enriches families, strengthens communities, and contributes to long-term national stability.
He added that although NASRDA operates within limited funding, the Agency remains committed to supporting meaningful initiatives particularly those that promote education, empowerment, and national development.
Dr. Adepoju further highlighted NASRDA’s open-door policy for students and young people, explaining that exposing them to space science inspires interest in STEM fields and encourages more women to explore careers in space research and technology.
In her remarks, the President of the Coalition of Nigerian Women Forum for Peace and Good Governance, Ruth Ishaku, said their visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with NASRDA to enhance initiatives that empower women and promote their active participation in national development.
She highlighted the organization’s commitment to peace, good governance, and sustainable development, citing projects such as Pad the Girl Child campaign, which supports menstrual hygiene and educational access for young girls.
Ishaku noted that the Coalition selected Dr. Adepoju for the Leadership Peace Award of Excellence in recognition of his exemplary mentorship, steadfast support for women in STEM, and his exemplary commitment to innovation, peacebuilding, and ethical leadership, which collectively reflect the ideals the award is designed to celebrate.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of the award to the Director General, marking a significant recognition of NASRDA’s expanding influence in national development and the transformative leadership.
Below are pictures from the event:
Written by: Oluwaseun Ajayi
Editor: Joy Opaluwa
Media and Corporate Communications
