Experts in the space science and technology industry have said that Nigeria has reached the stage where it should have been manufacturing its satellite through indigenous capacity across all segments of the space value chain.

They, however, cited insufficient political will, policy gaps, as well as lack of sustained investment as major constraints hindering the country’s repositioning as a serious player in the global space ecosystem.

The experts spoke during the fourth memorial public lecture jointly organised by the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Department of Geography and African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI), held in honour of Dr Adigun Ade Abiodun, who was a former United Nations (UN) expert on Space Applications and Former Chair of UN COPUOS.

In his lecture, Chairman of Teledom Group, Emmanuel Ekuwem, described space as encompassing activities from the Earth’s surface through the atmosphere and into outer space, stressing that Nigeria must play a “non-trivial role” in areas such as Earth observation, satellite communications, navigation and positioning, as well as space science and astronomy.

He further said that Nigeria must develop, design, build and launch its own satellite, lamenting that over the years, the country has only made minimal space efforts.

Ekuwem, while noting that space science and technology is capable of transforming Africa’s socio-economic development, however, said that efforts should be channelled to timely, cost-effective development and implementation of a roadmap for Africa’s self-reliance in space science and technology where the African Space Agency would be empowered and equipped to carry out its functions of coordinating, technical, monitoring and regulatory for international standards compliance.

He said: “There is a need for a Science, Technology and Innovation Trust Fund to stimulate creativity and innovation generally with applications and spin-offs in Space Science and Technology.”