₦airaland Forum

President Bola Tinubu has approved two additional communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT 2A and 2B, for Nigeria’s space programme, the Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, announced on Monday.

She disclosed this during her welcoming address at the opening of the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria.”

“This approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s recognition of space as a driver of national development and sovereignty,” Mrs Egerton-Idehen said.

Reflecting on the agency’s journey, Mrs Egerton-Idehen said NIGCOMSAT has grown from a single-satellite operator into a multi-service provider offering broadband, broadcasting, and connectivity services across Nigeria and parts of Africa.

“Twenty years ago, Nigeria declared its readiness to participate and shape one of the most consequential industries of this century. That declaration was not abstract; it was a commitment to build capacity, institutions, and credibility in the global space economy,” she said.

[b]The MD also spoke about NIGCOMSAT’s strengthened global and regional presence, adding that the agency recently secured a Low Earth Orbit connectivity partnership with Eutelsat and initiated cooperation with the Kenya Space Agency.

It now holds the Vice Chairmanship of the Global Satellite Operators Association, giving Nigeria influence in international satellite policy and spectrum governance.

Mrs Egerton-Idehen highlighted initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of space-focused companies.

She said the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme, launched this year, will become a permanent feature to support startups working in satellite applications and digital connectivity.

Complementing the accelerator programme is Project 774, designed to extend satellite-enabled connectivity to all local government areas across Nigeria, supporting healthcare, education, and economic activity in underserved communities.

“Today, the work of building Nigeria’s space future is being done here, by the institutions, innovators, investors, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered in this room,” Mrs Egerton-Idehen noted.

Kennedy Osemwegie, representing the Chief of Army Staff, said satellites now support intelligence gathering, surveillance, communications, and disaster response.

He added that collaboration between the military, government agencies, and private sector actors has enhanced Nigeria’s capacity for satellite-enabled operations, which are critical for addressing terrorism, insurgency, and cross-border crimes.

On his part, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, emphasised the role of satellites in expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

Satellite technology, he said, is central to improving connectivity, service quality, and access across sectors, including education, healthcare, and emergency response.

He stressed the need for collaboration between the government, the private sector, and innovators to develop practical solutions that strengthen Nigeria’s space and digital ecosystem.

Speaking on the first day’s theme, “The Space Race: The Convergence of Technology, Government, and Opportunities,” the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding satellite infrastructure and praised President Tinubu’s approval of the new satellites.

“When a community gains the opportunity to connect, it transforms how businesses operate and how people live. Satellite technology allows us to extend connectivity to places where other infrastructure cannot reach. It also provides resilience, innovation, and strengthens our digital economy,” the minister said.

He added that fostering innovation through research, partnerships, and startup engagement is essential to developing solutions for agriculture, education, commerce, and security.

Mr Tijjani emphasised that Nigeria’s space leadership carries a continental responsibility.

“Nigeria’s leadership in satellite technology is not just for Nigeria. It is for Africa. We must build talent that understands both the technology and its applications. We must create room for businesses to grow in this space. And we must collaborate more across the continent,” he added.

The event brought together policymakers, government agencies, technology innovators, investors, academics, and other experts, providing a platform for dialogue, partnerships, and practical solutions to advance Nigeria’s space and digital economy.

zenburster:
Same country with no:
Running water
Good roads
Healthcare or hospitals
Security
No jobs.

That accursed country is talking about space.

Topman7:
Commendable move. These are the sort of moves you see from a rising space power.

I asked AI ChatGPT to describe Nigeria in 2095, and it described a space-faring superpower with established Nigerian colonies on various planets.

It described a Nigeria that is developed and advanced, a global cultural hegemon with interplanetary influence, a manufacturing giant, and a world leader in advanced AI and Quantum Computing.

TimeManager:
Bro, in the end, people will come to appreciate President Tinubu. This is a man that's retooling the system, clearing the mess, recalibrating the institutions and rather than patching up the wound, he prefers surgical amending albeit how painful.
Our current satellite is old and outdated, incapable of gathering a robust ISR for actionable intelligence. Launching two new up-to-date satellites will definitely improve the country's technological capabilities.
When a President came in and pay off the legacy debts of the foreign airlines, pay off IMF outstanding loans, settling NNPC legacy debts, settling legacy debts in the electricity sector, resolved decades-long disputes in OPL 245, resolved decades-long Ogoni disputes, reforming NIGCOMSAT deficiencies into a modern component and many more he has been able to resolved in three years. Such a man deserves commendations that even his critics who are presently ignorant would later appreciate him.

-Kiss the truth!

Topman7:
Commendable move. These are the sort of moves you see from a rising space power.

I asked AI ChatGPT to describe Nigeria in 2095, and it described a space-faring superpower with established Nigerian colonies on various planets.

It described a Nigeria that is developed and advanced, a global cultural hegemon with interplanetary influence, a manufacturing giant, and a world leader in advanced AI and Quantum Computing.

Hei wahala promax lolzzz

walosky:
Marry an Igbo woman and you will get sense and peace of mind

richeeyo:
You and that Ai dey craze😂😂😂😂

occfx:
The people that suppose to use the satellite are not sure of tomorrow. I know is fraud sha, another way to psyphon billions and the satellite will disappear.

If Tinubu had use his 4yrs to make sure electricity is 24hrs only. His name will forever be remembered but no.

PlasmaTV:
Tell tinubu to first fix the electricity that has deteriorated woefully under his watch

TimeManager:
Bro, in the end, people will come to appreciate President Tinubu. This is a man that's retooling the system, clearing the mess, recalibrating the institutions and rather than patching up the wound, he prefers surgical amending albeit how painful.
Our current satellite is old and outdated, incapable of gathering a robust ISR for actionable intelligence. Launching two new up-to-date satellites will definitely improve the country's technological capabilities.
When a President came in and pay off the legacy debts of the foreign airlines, pay off IMF outstanding loans, settling NNPC legacy debts, settling legacy debts in the electricity sector, resolved decades-long disputes in OPL 245, resolved decades-long Ogoni disputes, reforming NIGCOMSAT deficiencies into a modern component. And many more he has been able to resolve in three years. Such a man deserves commendations that even his critics who are presently ignorant would later appreciate him for.

-Kiss the truth!

Topman7:
Commendable move. These are the sort of moves you see from a rising space power.

I asked AI ChatGPT to describe Nigeria in 2095, and it described a space-faring superpower with established Nigerian colonies on various planets.

It described a Nigeria that is developed and advanced, a global cultural hegemon with interplanetary influence, a manufacturing giant, and a world leader in advanced AI and Quantum Computing.

Topman7:
Commendable move. These are the sort of moves you see from a rising space power.

I asked AI ChatGPT to describe Nigeria in 2095, and it described a space-faring superpower with established Nigerian colonies on various planets.

It described a Nigeria that is developed and advanced, a global cultural hegemon with interplanetary influence, a manufacturing giant, and a world leader in advanced AI and Quantum Computing.

TimeManager:
Electricity problems that OBJ, YARADUA, GEJ, BUHARI couldn't solve in 24years, you want it solved in 4years of Tinubu?. You arm chair critics.
First of, the issue with power recently is about legacy debts to GenCos in the name of gas shortage. They are not supplying enough gas to power thermals because they needed their money.
Secondly, Nigeria needs no less than $20billion to overhaul the old, decrepit and obsolete power structure in Nigeria. And that's far bigger than your annual budget.
And lastly, Electricity has been decentralized, you can as well hold your state Governor to provide you stable power. Enough of barking at the wrong tree.

-Kiss the truth!

TimeManager:
Electricity problems that OBJ, YARADUA, GEJ, BUHARI couldn't solve in 24years, you want it solved in 4years of Tinubu?. You arm chair critics.
First of, the issue with power recently is about legacy debts to GenCos in the name of gas shortage. They are not supplying enough gas to power thermals because they needed their money.
Secondly, Nigeria needs no less than $20billion to overhaul the old, decrepit and obsolete power structure in Nigeria. And that's far bigger than your annual budget.
And lastly, Electricity has been decentralized, you can as well hold your state Governor to provide you stable power. Enough of barking at the wrong tree.

-Kiss the truth!

chipet67:
The excesses from the removed subsidy can be channelled here. If they take loan to fix this and pay over the years, we won't complain.
But they just take loan and use grammar to cover up. Stop making $20bn sound like am impossible amount. Dangote, a private firm, used around that to build refinery.

owagbeba:
Them for use the money do NEPA. When light dey, small industries go rise. What’s the use of satellite when we never master the basic technologies?

China has made technology transfer so easy yet we find it hard to implement such here because no NEPA. Try set up one spaghetti or indomie production line, NEPA GO SHOW YOU SHEGE!

PlasmaTV:
Did anybody force him to say this?
Or do we all agree that your pay master is an unrepentant liar and conman?

“If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second time, don’t vote for me. Unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”