President Bola Tinubu on Monday expressed the need for the National Assembly to prioritise the funding for Nigeria’s space programme to enable the country to play a leading role in the fourth industrial revolution.

President Tinubu spoke at the celebration of the event, Nigeria’s 25years in Space and Technology, organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency, held at the Banquet hall of the State House, Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, President Tinubu called on the parliament to strengthen the act establishing the National Space Research and Development Agency to enable the Nigerian space ecosystem to become vibrant in its local and international engagements. 

The President also called for efforts to ensure the integration and mainstreaming of the private sector into the heart of Nigeria’s space programme to enable the country to maximise opportunities in the coming years for national development.

“Great effort should be made to ensure that the private sector is mainstreamed into the heart of our space program for us to do more in the coming years for our national development.

“There is also a need to strengthen the Act that established NASRDA to help the Nigerian space ecosystem to be more vibrant in its engagements, locally and internationally,” Tinubu said.

He assured NASDRA and all stakeholders of his administration’s support in meeting future challenges and exploring better dividends of science and technology for Nigeria’s greatness.

While expressing confidence in the nation’s space ecosystem, Tinubu assured that the years ahead will see Nigeria maintain her leading position in Africa and engage more with other space-faring nations.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the projected $ 1.8 trillion global space economy will influence industries such as supply chain logistics, agriculture, defence, and digital communications in Nigeria.

Nnaji added that the targeted sectors are expected to generate over 60% of new economic value from space-enabled technologies for Nigeria.

In his goodwill message, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs. Nkechi Jane Egerton-Idehen said the anniversary of Nigeria’s 25years in Space and technology, is proof of Nigeria’s vision, resilience and unyielding commitment to harnessing the vast potential of space science and technology for national development.

Egerton-Idehen said Nigeria’s successful journey in the space industry has been a success story of the collaborative symphony of innovation, determination, and excellence.

She applauded the synergy between NIGCOMSAT, the National Space Research and Development Agency, and other partners, adding that the stakeholders have unlocked new horizons in communication, security, agriculture, and disaster management.