The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria’s next-generation satellite programme has entered the execution phase, with NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B scheduled for launch in 2028 and 2029. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance connectivity, security, and growth in the digital economy.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Satellite Week in Abuja on Monday, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Limited, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the programme underscores Nigeria’s commitment to using space technology as a tool for national development, sovereignty, and security. She noted that the satellites would facilitate real-time communication, intelligence gathering, and connectivity in remote areas, supporting applications such as precision agriculture and rural broadband expansion.
“We have started the process. The tender has been closed, and we are now in the financing and implementation stage. NIGCOMSAT-2A is due in 2028 and 2B in 2029. Once operational, they are expected to enhance security within the country and neighbouring regions, providing critical support to security agencies for data and intelligence collection,” she said.
The event, themed “Harnessing Space for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” brought together government officials, industry experts, researchers, technology innovators, and strategic partners to discuss collaboration and the future of Nigeria’s space and digital infrastructure.
Also speaking, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the shift from approvals to delivery, highlighting large-scale investments in fibre, towers, and space infrastructure. He said Nigeria remains the only West African country with its own communication satellite, positioning the nation as a regional hub for connectivity and digital services.
“The world is becoming increasingly digital, and infrastructure that powers communication, data, and connectivity is central to a thriving economy. Satellite technology directly affects access to the internet for rural children and decision-making for farmers. This is a technology Nigeria must leverage,” the minister said.
Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Professor Seidu O. Mohammed, added that Nigeria has built substantial capacity in space research, with over 300 Ph.D. holders and a workforce of approximately 6,000 staff, demonstrating significant advancement in skills and knowledge to drive the nation’s space ambitions.
