Bola Tinubu has pledged that Nigeria will launch four satellites as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s space program in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji, highlighted the role of visionary leadership in Nigeria’s entry into space exploration.
He credited the foresight of earlier leaders for the establishment of NASRDA in 1999 through the enactment of the Space Act. The event was organized by NASRDA in collaboration with NIGCOMSAT and the Defence Space Administration.
“Space is an area of limitless opportunities, and advanced countries of the world are relentlessly discovering how opportunities can be tapped to their advantage,” he said.
“It is obvious that Nigeria can not afford to lag in this global quest of discovering space and that the knowledge from such discoveries can help solve her internal issues for national development.”
“Today, the synergy between NASRDA, NigComSat and DSA has led to tripodal support upon which an advanced and more robust national space programme will be built in the near future,” Tinubu noted.
READ MORE:Tinubu’s Govt Says It Mounted ‘Diplomatic Pressure’ On Finland to Secure Arrest of Simon Ekpa
“All these giant strides made by this important sector of our dear country are notable and noble, with the launch of seven satellites and efforts on top gear to launch an additional four satellites within the lifespan of this administration.
“Great effort should be made to ensure that the private sector is mainstreamed into the heart of our space programme so that we can do more in the coming years for our national development.”
He called on lawmakers to prioritise the funding for space programmes to ensure the country played leading roles in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The president also emphasised the need to strengthen the NASRDA Act to help the Nigerian space ecosystem become more vibrant in its engagements, both locally and internationally.
He said: “Similarly, the sector will require improved budgetary support to be able to accomplish its programmes, whose outcomes can bring massive socioeconomic dividends to Nigeria and her citizens.
“This will also solidify Nigeria’s standing as a leading space-faring country in Africa and further boost her image to competitively attract foreign direct investment because of our locational advantage for cheaper launching services.”
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
