The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria’s government-run space agency, recently announced the postponement of its 2025 plan to launch a satellite from Nigeria. The news was disclosed by the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Halilu Shaba, during the NASRDA Day presentation at the 8th Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Expo.
Citing lack of sufficient funding, Dr. Halilu Shaba noted that the ambitious plan had to be put on hold. Even though the agency currently lacks the necessary funds to launch a satellite, he assured that it is committed to enhancing its capabilities in order to make such a feat possible in the future.
Aside from the satellite launch plans, the Director-General also mentioned that the agency does not possess the financial resources to send an astronaut into space. According to him, the cost associated with such a mission is prohibitively high. Hence, for the moment, such endeavors are beyond the agency’s current financial reach. However, this situation highlights the agency’s continued efforts to build capacity amidst challenging economic circumstances.
Dr. Halilu Shaba further explained that the process of planning and securing a launch slot for an astronaut takes approximately five years. He emphasized the impracticality of advising the government to train an astronaut at present without a confirmed slot, as the individual might age and no longer be fit for space travel by the time a slot becomes available.
The ambitious goal to send a Nigerian astronaut into space, as well as launching a domestically produced satellite by 2025, was previously outlined as part of the agency’s 25-year plan.
In October 2023, the Director-General projected a promising future for Nigeria’s space industry, estimating its potential value to be up to $1 billion. He envisioned that Nigeria could generate as much as $20 million from launching a single satellite, should the country succeed in developing its own Assembly, Integration, and Testing Laboratory (AITL). These projections underscore the potential for the space industry to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
Despite the challenges presented by restricted resources and doubtful completion by 2027, Director-General Dr. Halilu Shaba emphasised the competence and expertise of the agency’s team. He acknowledged that the process of designing an impactful satellite is a lengthy and complex one.
However, he assured that they already possess a detailed blueprint for the proposed satellite. Dr. Shaba expressed optimism that with enhanced budgetary allocations, the agency will be in a position to construct and launch a satellite from Nigeria in the foreseeable future.
He stated, “The agency already has the design of a desired satellite, and with the improvement of budgetary allocations, it can build and launch a satellite from Nigeria shortly.” This reaffirms the agency’s commitment to its ambitious space exploration goals, subject to improved funding.
In addition to discussing the agency’s plans, Dr. Halilu Shaba confirmed that NigeriaSat-2, an Earth observation satellite launched in 2011, is still functional. NigeriaSat-2 is equipped with a very high-resolution imaging capability that supplements the NASRDA and the Disaster Monitoring Constellation.
According to the Director-General, NigeriaSat-2 continues to serve a crucial role, delivering valuable imagery for Nigeria, as well as areas across Africa and around the globe. He highlighted a recent project where the agency used NigeriaSat-2 to estimate the population of the Abuja Municipal Area Council. This initiative demonstrated the practical applications of the satellite in providing current and reliable data.
In another significant collaboration, the NASRDA is joining forces with China to monitor earth tremors across Nigeria and other African regions. This strategic partnership aims to bolster the safety measures of these communities by providing them with timely and accurate seismic information. The intent is to mitigate the risks and potential damage associated with seismic events.
