President Tinubu Urges Legislative Support for Nigeria’s Space Program at NASRDA Anniversary
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Nigerian legislature to prioritize enhanced funding and reforms for the country’s space program. He made this appeal during the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Tinubu underscored the importance of a robustly funded and empowered space sector in driving Nigeria’s development and establishing it as a leader in Africa’s space industry. He highlighted the necessity for increased legislative support to ensure that Nigeria can effectively engage in the fourth industrial revolution and elevate its participation in international space exploration.
“I am encouraged to see many lawmakers here celebrating this important milestone with us. I urge our legislators to prioritize funding for our space program so that we can assume a leading role in this new industrial era,” Tinubu stated. He also advocated for strengthening the legislation that established NASRDA to create a more dynamic Nigerian space ecosystem with extensive local and international engagements. Additionally, he emphasized the need for improved budget allocations to enable the sector to implement programs that would deliver significant socio-economic benefits to Nigeria and its citizens.
In his address, Tinubu expressed pride in Nigeria’s 25 years of involvement in space exploration, noting that historically, space initiatives were largely the domain of major global powers, often overlooking Africa, particularly sub-Saharan nations. “For too long, space endeavors were viewed as the exclusive realm of a few powerful countries, with little regard for Africa’s potential contribution,” he remarked.
He commended the vision of Nigeria’s early leaders for recognizing the crucial role African nations could play in space exploration and the subsequent benefits that could follow. This foresight culminated in the enactment of the Space Act and the establishment of NASRDA in 1999, he explained.
“Since NASRDA’s inception, the continuous backing from subsequent presidents, along with support from the legislature, has been pivotal in the significant advancements and achievements of NASRDA over the past quarter-century,” the president said. “Today, we gather here to celebrate the determination and leadership of Africa in the fields of space science and technology.”
Tinubu pointed out that space technologies have become essential tools in understanding Earth’s surface and transforming global communication and navigation systems. “Through satellite observations, we gain valuable insights into air, land, and water quality, allowing us to deploy effective solutions to various challenges,” he noted. He further emphasized that modern communication technologies enabled by space have profoundly shifted global business dynamics, making them crucial for air, land, and marine navigation. Additionally, he asserted that executing significant tactical security operations has become increasingly challenging without leveraging space capabilities.
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