New satellite plan nears execution stage ahead of 2028, 2029 takeoff — FG

By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA — The Federal Government says Nigeria’s next generation satellite programme has entered the execution phase, with NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B set for launch in 2028 and 2029, as part of a broader push to strengthen connectivity, security and digital economy growth.

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 signals Nigeria’s commitment to space as a tool for national development, sovereignty and security, noting that the sector is entering a phase of accelerated growth.

She said the satellites will support real-time communication, intelligence gathering and connectivity in remote areas, enabling applications such as precision agriculture and rural broadband expansion.

“We have started the process. You guys know we have closed the tender. Now we are back into the financing and implementation stage. 2A is due to come out in 2028. And 2B for 2029. When they are up and running, they are expected to provide security within the borders and neighbouring countries. They’re expected to support security agencies, because we know that for security agencies, data and intelligence collection is important,” she said.

The event, themed “Harnessing Space for an Extraordinary Nigeria” attracted government officials, industry experts, researchers, technology innovators, and strategic partners, creating a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the shaping of Nigeria’s next phase in space and digital infrastructure.

Also speaking, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the plan reflects a deliberate shift from approvals to delivery, backed by large-scale investments in fibre, towers, and space infrastructure. He said satellites remain central to bridging connectivity gaps and strengthening national resilience.

According to Dr Tijani, Nigeria remains the only country in West Africa with its own communication satellite, positioning the country as a regional hub for connectivity and digital services, especially in underserved areas.

“As we all know, the world is becoming more digital. And infrastructure that powers this digital economy, that powers communication, data and connectivity, is also becoming more strategic. It’s the backbone of any successful economy or society today. And many of us don’t pay attention to the fact that satellite technology sits right at the centre of that change that we’re seeing. It affects how a child in a rural community gets the opportunity to connect to the internet, how a farmer makes decisions about planting and harvesting… So if we take it that seriously, then we understand that this is a technology that we must take advantage of,” the minister said.

He added that beyond infrastructure, the focus is now on building an ecosystem that drives innovation, research and practical applications across agriculture, education, logistics and security.

The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Professor Seidu O. Mohammed said Nigeria has built significant capacity in space research.
“We have advanced our knowledge, we have acquired critical skills. At NASRDA, we have over 300 Ph.D. holders, and the workforce is about 6,000 staff,” he said.

He added that recent approvals for additional satellites reflect renewed government commitment to the sector as a driver of economic growth and a pathway to achieving a one trillion dollar economy.

In a goodwill message, the Chief of Army Staff, represented by Major General KO Osemwegie, said deeper collaboration across government, industry and international partners will be key to tackling evolving threats and strengthening national defence capabilities through space-enabled systems.

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