Federal Government Approves Launch of Four Satellites to Boost Earth Observation and National Security

Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the launch of four new satellites to enhance Earth observation capabilities and bolster efforts in combating insecurity across Nigeria. This was disclosed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, during the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology (NCIST) held in Abuja from May 12 to 14.

The newly approved satellites include three Earth observation satellites and one radar aperture satellite. According to the minister, the radar satellite will provide imaging capabilities regardless of time, weather, or light conditions, enabling effective surveillance, particularly for military operations in remote and conflict-prone areas such as the Sambisa Forest.

Nnaji emphasized that the satellite project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s pressing security and technological challenges. He noted that the new capabilities will eliminate the current dependency on purchasing foreign satellite imagery for national defense and surveillance operations.

Highlighting the significance of research and innovation, the minister revealed that an interministerial committee is currently reviewing the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. The committee is also strategizing the establishment of a National Research and Innovation Fund aimed at supporting the full cycle of Research, Development, Innovation, and Commercialisation (RDIC).

He stated that for Nigeria to emerge as a technological leader, it must close the gap between academic research and real-world application. Nnaji called on institutions, innovators, and industries to actively participate in building a pipeline that transforms groundbreaking research into commercially viable products.

The minister urged that the NCIST should be a turning point, ensuring that every research project has a clear path to industry, and every student views innovation as a viable career path. He stressed the need for a robust regulatory framework that encourages private sector collaboration and government support to protect and promote innovation across all sectors.

Nnaji confirmed that the resolutions from the 22nd NCIST would be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for formal adoption. He also announced plans for the 23rd edition of the council, aiming to restore the annual schedule after the current meeting was postponed from 2024 to 2025 due to logistical contingencies.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, described the meeting as a rallying call to develop a collaborative ecosystem where academia, industry, and government work together to address national issues such as unemployment, insecurity, economic diversification, and climate change. She revealed that 109 memoranda were submitted, highlighting sector-specific challenges and proposing actionable strategies to integrate science, technology, and innovation into national development goals.

She emphasized the need for enhanced funding mechanisms for research and innovation, particularly in emerging technologies, and called for increased inter-agency collaboration to apply local innovations in health, agriculture, energy, education, and governance.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, represented by Dr. Morris Mbaeri, stated that achieving sustainable national development depends on building a resilient and purpose-driven innovation ecosystem. He called on academia, industry, and government stakeholders to collaborate effectively and drive the RDIC cycle to address real-world challenges and unlock national prosperity.

President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, advocated for increasing research and development spending to three percent of Nigeria’s GDP. He also proposed the creation of more RDIC clusters by integrating academia, startups, and industries into unified project frameworks. Onwualu urged the operationalization of the National Research and Innovation Council Fund to streamline and coordinate innovation efforts nationwide.