In a drive to position Nigeria as a key player in the global satellite industry, the Director General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has re-echoed collaboration as the most effective strategy for successful in road into the international Space market.
He was speaking during a high level meeting with a delegation from Monaco SAT, a leading satellite service provider, at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Adepoju explained that Nigeria must look beyond self-reliance and embrace strategic partnerships that open doors to innovation, growth, and global relevance.
He described the visit as timely, noting that it aligns with NASRDA’s long-term mission to strengthen public-private partnerships for technological advancement while expressing optimism that working with international players like Monaco SAT would not only enhance Nigeria’s technical capacity but also provide a gateway to tap into the booming global satellite economy.
Highlighting the broader vision of the Agency, Dr Adepoju emphasized that NASRDA’s mandate extends far beyond satellite development and launch, saying, it is evolving into a comprehensive service provider capable of delivering critical satellite-based solutions that will improve lives, drive economic inclusion and enhance connectivity to millions of Nigerians and the wider African continent.
According to him, the ultimate goal of the partnership is to make Nigeria a recognized satellite service hub in Africa with the capacity to serve both local and international markets while transforming Nigeria into a center of satellite excellence.
Dr. Adepoju pointed out that telecommunications is a critical frontier and by integrating it into the satellite service portfolio, Nigeria’s voice will be heard loud and clear in the global space arena as it remains the most lucrative and expansive satellite service market in the country.
This he said will not only enhance the space sector but boost visibility and firmly establish the Agency’s relevance on the global stage.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Vice President/COO of Monaco SAT, Kelvin Quiot, said the visit to NASRDA is to explore partnership opportunities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in not only building and launching telecommunications satellites but also in capacity building to develop local expertise.
Quiot expressed Monaco SAT’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s space and communication goals through practical, long-term cooperation.
In his presentation, the Finance and Strategic Adviser of Monaco SAT, Eric Le Proux, emphasized the importance of exposing local stakeholders to the full satellite value chain, which is crucial for the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s space program as understanding this ecosystem is key to turning space technology into lasting economic and strategic value.
Several Directors of the Space Agency made brilliant contributions, outlining how both NASRDA and Monaco SAT could mutually benefit from future collaborations while emphasizing areas such as technology transfer, joint research initiatives, and shared expertise that would strengthen capabilities in the evolving space sector.
Below are pictures from the visit for your viewing pleasure.
Written by: Priscilla Harry
Edited by: Joy Opaluwa
Media and Corporate Communications
