**Fatshimetrie: Major breakthroughs in Nigeria’s space development**
Nigeria has recently witnessed significant breakthroughs in space development, with the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), Dr. Mathew Adepoju, announcing the approval by President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of four new satellites for the country.
Speaking at an annual lecture and awards ceremony, Dr. Adepoju revealed that Nigeria’s existing satellites have either been deorbited or are in the process of being deorbited, underscoring the need for replacement satellites to ensure Nigeria remains relevant in global space development.
The four new satellites approved by President Tinubu will include three optical satellites and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, replacing the Cintetic Reader satellite. These satellites will enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in space exploration and development.
President Tinubu’s approval is a testament to his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s technological infrastructure, in line with his “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
Former President Obasanjo highlighted the importance of this development, noting that Nigeria still has a long way to go to achieve its goals. He recalled that some satellites had been deorbited and that the approval of four new satellites by President Tinubu represented a major breakthrough in the Nigerian space sector.
Furthermore, the integration of the private sector is paramount to the national space programme, as the government alone cannot deliver it. The private sector should therefore play a leading role in the Nigerian space ecosystem.
Finally, the Nigerian space programme envisages the launch of several satellites by Chinese and Nigerian engineers, with the aim of giving full control to Nigerian engineers after the launch of the second satellite.
In conclusion, Nigeria sees its space horizon broadened with the introduction of these new satellites, demonstrating its determination to remain competitive in the global space scene. This advancement marks another step towards realizing the country’s ambitions in the space sector, thus paving the way for new opportunities for development and innovation.
“Images of Nigerian satellites in space” have become the symbol of a nation rising towards the stars, driven by a bold vision and concrete achievements.