To strengthen national security and enforce accountability in Nigeria’s expanding space sector, the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Matthew Adepoju, has stressed the importance of deploying geospatial intelligence in crime prevention.

He pointed this out during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NASRDA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The Director, Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, Dr Felix Ale, in a statement, said the Director-General explained that the Space Agency is proud to partner with the EFCC to strengthen the implementation of national space regulations, improve spectrum management, and enhance oversight of activities within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding space ecosystem.

Describing the MoU as a milestone for justice and accountability, the NASRDA boss emphasised that the agreement would ensure that both local and international organisations operating within Nigeria’s space sector fully comply with existing laws and regulatory frameworks.
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Adepoju further identified illegal mining as a major contributor to insecurity in the country, stressing that NASRDA remains committed to regulating operators across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the space sector to ensure full legal compliance.
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According to him, the EFCC is the ideal partner for this mission, given the Commission’s strong leadership, sound institutional management, and proven track record under its current Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede.

Adepoju said NASRDA will deploy advanced space and geospatial technologies to support the commission in carrying out its mandate more efficiently and in line with international best practice.

He described the partnership as the beginning of a new chapter for both institutions, one that promises stronger enforcement, improved national security, a more transparent and compliant space sector in Nigeria.