By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has charged the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to develop appropriate satellite technology, capable of enhancing intelligence gathering to track insurgency and other criminal activities in the country.
Governor Umo Eno gave the charge at the 2025 National Space Research and Development Agency retreat for top management staff of the Agency at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, recently.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor stated that the converge of the Agency on Uyo, for a strategic and innovative national discourse, was absolutely necessary if NASRDA must accomplish its mandate of assisting the country meet space capabilities via space associated research and development, in addition to capacity building in the areas of science, engineering, space law and administration, for enduring development.
“NASRDA retreats for soul searching and goal setting is an absolute necessity if it must fulfill its mandate of helping the nation attain Space capabilities through space-related research and development as well as capacity building in the fields of science, engineering, Space law and administration, for sustainable development”, he reasoned.
Eno maintained that the Agency, being reputed as one of the most advanced space agencies in Africa, with high quality satellites successfully launched into Space, NASRDA was nothing short of a national pride with global recognition.
He explained that he was excited that the Agency, led by its director general, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, and the entire management of NASRDA, was in Akwa Ibom for stock taking and planning.
Viewing the theme of the conference, “NASRDA Beyond The Horizon: Building A Resilient Workforce For Space Economy And National Security,” he pointed out that it underscored the high premium it placed on the quality of its human capital and its recognition of the indispensable role of the staff in the actualisation of its mandate.
The governor maintained that with the rapid development of space science and technology and the growing popularity of space tourism, NASRDA already had its responsibility clearly defined as the nation could not be excluded from the global reality. “We must consciously keep pace with the rest of the world and even blaze the trail in certain aspects of space science, where necessary,” he said.
Eno charged the conference that as the nation was grappling with security challenges, NASRDA’s development of satellite technology could assist security agencies in surveillance, intelligence gathering and tracking of bandits, kidnappers and insurgents and the menace of internet fraud in the country.
The state chief executive informed the conference that the modern world was advancing at the speed of light and NASRDA had the task of working hard towards developing local expertise that could register Nigeria’s footprints in the global digital and technological space, to accelerating national development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Eno told the conference that Nigeria was going through a trying period of tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, as such, NASRDA has the opportunity to develop a device that could monitor, track and analyse global trends in science and technology with a view to domesticating same for national growth.
He stated that Akwa Ibom government has rebranded and repositioned the Ministry of Science and Technology by expanding its mandate to include Digital Economy, in line with current realities, through the automation of governance for improved efficiency and productivity.
The governor said he had created online portals for recruitment and procurement while the Geographic Information System had helped to digitalise land management in the State, saying that one of the goals of the ARISE Agenda was to run government in accordance with global best practices.
The minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, represented by Mr Robert Ngu, said the theme of the retreat was timely and visionary as it signalled a new sense of purpose and a clear alignment with the aspiration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, to reposition Nigeria as a frontier nation in innovation, science and technology.
Nnaji noted that space was no longer a distant dream of super powers, but a strategic arena where nations secure their sovereignty, economic future and scientific legacy, adding that in Nigeria, NASRDA stood at the helm of the frontier as the retreat marked a new beginning, a moment to re-calibrate, retool and re-imagine the Agency’s pact, in line with the economic trends.
The minister charged the Agency to translate the reality of space technology into active private sector engagements into the Nigeria’s space enterprise, as the time had come for the private sector industries to actively look towards NASRDA, as a gateway to trillion dollar space economy.
He said the Ministry was satisfied with the progress made by the Agency in spite of numerous challenges, for being able to build future workforce, assuring that as a supervising Ministry, it was committed to supporting NASRDA’s efforts through policy reforms, talent development and strategic investment partnership that would unlock the vast potentials of the space ecosystem.
The director-general and chief executive officer of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju, said the conference was one of the critical success factor for any organisation, adding that any body whose leadership were not in tandem with the directors, being key implementers of the policies, would fail.
Adepoju noted that the essence of the retreat was to allow the Agency come together to examine how far NASRDA has gone after 25 years of operation in space.
Chairman of event planning committee and director, Media and Corporate Communication, Dr Felix Ale, said the retreat would enable participants reflect, learn and strategically reposition the Agency for effective service delivery.
Ale stated that the theme would not have been more apt than now that the work of the Agency was so demanding based on current issues facing the country, adding that the space economy was moving rapidly, while national security was becoming more demanding with technological advancement to ensure that the country was technically positionedin the global ecosystem.
He maintained that staff of the Agency needed to be capacitated in the workforce, accountability in policies and visionary based in their strategy, adding that the retreat was particularly organised to promote staff welfare, unwavering commitment and concern for professional development.
Ale, commended the director general, Dr Matthew Adepoju, for his foresight, dedication and qualitative leadership to inspire corporate development in NASRDA and commended Akwa Ibom government for providing a conducive environment for the conference to take place.
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