President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets, signalling renewed federal backing for the country’s long-term space development agenda.
The directive was issued at the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing the revised 25-year roadmap under the National Space Policy and Programme.
To fast-track implementation, the President ordered that the cost framework for executing the approved roadmap be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.
“I hereby approve that cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval,” he said.
“I hereby approve that cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval,” he said.
President: Space investment tied to digital economy, security
President Tinubu said Nigeria would not remain a passive observer in the global space race.
“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sideline. We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value,” he stated.
According to him, space technology underpins critical national priorities, including cybersecurity, border protection, disaster early-warning systems, agricultural precision and digital connectivity.
“Space technology remains the foundation for cyber security and a vibrant digital economy. The space economy is rapidly growing and it’s expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars by 2040. When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream,” the President added.
“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guess work. This is how a nation turns attitude into advantage,” according to Tinubu.
He noted that outer space presents opportunities for technological advancement, economic diversification and more effective management of natural resources and environmental protection.
“We are funding precision in agriculture and security in our borders; we are funding early warning systems against floods and fires, smarter cities, safer skies, stronger communications and a digital economy that can compete with the best in the world. We are funding the confidence of a nation that refuses to be trapped by the limits of yesterday,” the President added.
“Space technology remains the foundation for cyber security and a vibrant digital economy. The space economy is rapidly growing and it’s expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars by 2040. When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream,” the President added.
The President also directed the timely release of all approved funds by the Federal Ministry of Finance and mandated Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), stakeholders and the private sector to comply with Nigeria’s space regulatory framework.
He further instructed the national space agency to enforce space regulation and spectrum management provisions under the NASDRA Act 2010 to ensure secure utilisation of space assets and resources over Nigeria.
Boost for NASRDA and space sector reforms
Providing details of the Council’s resolutions, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, described the meeting as historic, with landmark decisions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s space ecosystem.
The Council approved new “Conditions of Service and Staff Regulation” for the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to align with international best practices. The reform is intended to offer competitive remuneration and retain skilled Nigerian space professionals.
A working group of space experts was also constituted to further refine the revised 25-year space roadmap. The group will include representatives from NASRDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Defence Space Administration, and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), alongside other stakeholders in the space ecosystem.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre approved
The Council also approved the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Ekpe. According to the Minister, the facility will enhance Nigeria’s domestic capacity to launch satellites into orbit and reduce dependence on foreign technical partners for satellite hosting and maintenance.
The funding directive and accompanying policy approvals mark a significant institutional push to strengthen Nigeria’s space infrastructure at a time when global space activities are expanding rapidly.
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