President Bola Tinubu has approved two new satellites in orbit, a development will put the country on the leadership of space technology on the continent, the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said yesterday.
According to Tijani, the President’s approval of the acquisition of Satellite 2A and 2B was a clear demonstration of the commitment of the present administration to build the future of space-based technology.
Tijani said already, Nigeria is leading the West Africa sub region with its Satellite presence in space, stressing that the two new Satellites would have far reaching implications for Nigeria digital economy and prosperity.
The Minister who didn’t provide the cost implications of the new Satellites made the remarks at Continental Hotel, Abuja, while declaring open the 2nd Edition of Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat), “Satellite Week.”
The event had the theme: “Harnessing space technology for extraordinary Nigeria “. It was attended by the representatives of the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, among other dignitaries.
The Minister said it had become necessary for Nigeria to build solutions around Satellite technology to address security, agriculture, education, logistics, and health challenges.
He said Satellite technology remains the most dependable source of intelligence gathering, remote sensors among others for military and security operations across the globe.
The Minister said in today’s world satellite technology sits at the core of development as the world becomes more digitalised with data and connectivity driving strategic innovations, growth and prosperity.
Besides the huge investments that would go into the acquisition of the two new satellite, Tijani said the Federal Government is currently unveiling a N12 billion research fund for the digital economy ecosystems.
He explained that the project is being promoted and funded under Project BRIDGE, a federal government initiative aimed at deployment of 90,000km of fibre optic infrastructures across Nigeria to expand connectivity and foster economic prosperity.
He said Nigeria needs a strong link between industry and the academia, stressing that no nation achieve greatness or become successful without prioritising huge investments in research.
(The Nation)
