By Emmanuel Elebeke

Stakeholders in the nation’s satellite ecosystem on Thursday called for holistic adoption of Nigerian indigenous satellite, the NigComSat for sustainable socio-economic development.

They spoke at the 2024 Satellite Week organized by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, NIGCOMSAT in Abuja.

They noted that NIGCOMSAT possess lots of potentials that need to tapped by various agencies of government and private sector to increase revenue generation and spur ubiquitous digital connectivity across the nation.

They also submitted that satellite remained a veritable resource that could be harnessed to take the tide of insecurity and promote agricultural revolution.

The forum titled: “Harnessing Communication Satellites for Sustainable Development”, drew experts from near abd wide, major operators in the industry, captains of industry, and representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

In her opening remarks, the Managing Director and CEO of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Nkechi Ergerton-Idehen, said the satellite week was put together to converge state holders in one room and chat ways forward for better collaboration in utilization of Nigerian indigenous satellite.

She said Nigerian Communication satellite has been a providing support to defense and security agencies in the country and will continue to aid national sovereignty, defence and development of the nation in line with it’s primary mandate.

While underscoring the need for adoption of satellite technology Idehen went down memory lane of the period in April 2024 when there was a cut in the eight undersea fibre cables landing along the coast of West Africa, which almost brought connectivity to a halt, thus hampering business connectivity and the challenges of last mile connectivity with fibre.

Against this background she highlighted the importance of communications satellites, which according to her, will aid national sovereignty, defence and development.

In his opening speech, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Tijani Bosun represented by the Director of ICT, opined that the goal of today’s Stakeholder’s Forum is partnership forming.

He highlighted the existing partnership between the Ministry of Communications and NIGCOMSAT Ltd, which includes the recent training of over 2,000 Nigerian Youths nationwide on VSAT and TVRO by NIGCOMSAT LTD.

These trainings, he said from the feedback received, has empowered youths for self-employment.

The Minister also reiterated the need for all MDAs to identify with NIGCOMSAT in it’s effort to foster satellite communication in Nigeria and patronize the services.

He further urged the Forum to celebrate the achievements of NIGCOMSAT, forge new partnerships, and harness satellite opportunities.

Tijani however encouraged all to use the opportunity provided by the forum to explore all possible means of collaboration in utilization of satellite services.

In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Representing the Chief of Defense Staff, charged government agencies to work together to propel satellite communications in Nigeria, saying that “The time for communication satellite business is now”
“I am happy that the President appointed such a dynamic lady as Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen to steer the ship of NIGCOMSAT at this time. Nigeria military needs NIGCOMSAT to function properly,” he added.

On his part, the Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, noted that there cannot be a better time for this forum than now.

He also noted that Nigeria Navy recognises the critical role of NIGCOMSAT in championing Satellite Technology for the development of Nigeria, and pledged the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to partner with NIGCOMSAT, as evident in the recent agreement to install Kymeta on a Navy Ship for Proof of concept purposes.

Also in his own Goodwill message, the Director General, NASRDA, Mathew Adepoju revealed that the CEO’s of the three Agencies of NASRDA, DSA and NIGCOMSAT recently agreed
over dinner to work together –this is coming for the first time.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of NIGCOMSAT’s Strategic Blueprint, by the Head, Marketing and Stakeholder’s Engagement, Olufunke Fagbeja.