The Federal Government has said that space technology is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth, national security, and ability to tackle global challenges.
The Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Felix Ale, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu made the remarks during his state visit to Brazil, where Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South American country to strengthen cooperation in space science and technology.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, and his Brazilian counterpart, Mrs. Luciana Santos, in the presence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Nnaji said space technology was no longer a luxury but a necessity for national prosperity, citing its relevance in addressing climate change, food insecurity, disaster management, and digital transformation.
“The MoU represents a shared vision. Space technology offers Africa and Latin America a powerful tool to leapfrog into the future economy,” the minister said.
He added that under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria plans to leverage satellites, rocketry, and data analytics to drive inclusive growth.
The pact will also open opportunities for joint satellite missions on agriculture, climate monitoring, and national security, as well as collaboration in space vehicle engineering, capacity building, and technology transfer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be deployed for forest conservation in the Amazon and the Nigeria-Cameroon basins, while Earth observation systems will be used to enhance resilience against natural disasters and food crises.
Santos described the partnership as a step towards creating globally relevant solutions, while President Lula da Silva hailed it as “a bridge of innovation and solidarity between two nations of the Global South.”
