President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of approved funds for the upkeep of Nigeria’s space assets, underscoring his administration’s commitment to fully implementing the country’s National Space Policy and Programme.
The directive was issued on Tuesday at the inaugural meeting of the National Space Council, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing the President.
Tinubu also approved that the financial requirements for executing the revised 25-year roadmap of the national space policy be submitted to the Federal Executive Council for review and approval.
He stressed that Nigeria would no longer remain a passive participant in the global space arena, insisting that the country must engage actively, compete, and contribute meaningfully.
“The nation’s space ambitions must yield tangible benefits and national value, impacting critical sectors such as agriculture, education, security, research, and governance,” the President said. He added that investments in space technology would drive economic diversification, technological advancement, and sustainable development.
According to Tinubu, space applications would support precision farming, bolster border security, enhance disaster early warning systems, improve urban planning, ensure safer aviation, expand communications, and deepen Nigeria’s digital economy.
The President also directed the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency to enforce regulatory and spectrum management frameworks, ensuring responsible use of space assets.
He called on all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and private sector stakeholders to adhere strictly to established space regulations while charging the Ministry of Finance to guarantee timely fund disbursement.
Reacting to the council’s meeting, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, described it as historic, with decisions set to strengthen Nigeria’s space ecosystem.
He revealed that the council approved new Conditions of Service and Staff Regulations for the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency to align with international standards, improve staff remuneration, and stem the migration of local expertise.
Udeh further said the council resolved to establish a working group of space professionals to review and advance the revised 25-year space roadmap.
The committee will include representatives from the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, Nigerian Communications Commission, National Defence Space Agency, Nigerian Communications Satellite, and other stakeholders across the country’s space industry.
