President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realization of Nigeria’s space policy and programme as enshrined in the revised 25-year roadmap for space development.

The President, accordingly, directed the immediate release of approved funds for maintenance of the country’s space assets in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.

President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gave the approval on Tuesday during the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sideline, rather it will participate, compete and contribute.

President Tinubu assured that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to developing the society "by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation.

The president noted that his administration's investments in the sector is prompted by the opportunities in the outer space “as a new frontier for human development, as a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic diversification.”

He explained that the outer space provides "a unique challenge and platform for effective exploration and exploitation of the nation's natural resources as well as the protection of its environment."

President Tinubu continued: "Space technology remains the foundation for cyber security and a vibrant digital economy. The space economy is rapidly growing and it’s expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars by 2040. When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream."

Urging the space agency to be alive to its mandate of ensuring that space assets and resources over Nigeria are used responsibly, President Tinubu directed the agency to "employ all legally available means to enforce the space regulation and spectrum management framework for a secure utilization of space assets and resources over Nigeria on behalf of the National Space Council as provided in the NASDRA Act 2010."

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, after the meeting, described the National Space Council meeting chaired by the Vice President, on behalf the President, as a historic meeting with landmark outcomes for the improvement of Nigeria's space industry and ecosystem.

According to him, other decisions taken at the meeting included the approval of the “Conditions of Service and Staff Regulation” of the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency to align with international best practices.

He explained that the development is intended to give those working in the space industry a competitive level of remuneration to ensure that Nigerian experts in the space industry and ecosystem do not leave the country but are retained to maintain and sustain the nation’s space programme.

He listed members of the working group to include the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Defence Space Agency, the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), as well as other stakeholders in the Nigerian space ecosystem.

He also appreciated the Council for approving the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Epe, Lagos State.

According to him, the Centre would provide Nigeria with the capacity to launch satellites into orbit, while reducing dependence on foreign expertise not only to host the satellites but also to maintain them.