Reference: Victoria Fakiya
Nigeria’s 4 new satellites want to support military operations.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite (IMAGE CREDIT: space.com)
Nigeria’s federal government has just approved the launch of four new satellites to boost surveillance and tackle the country’s rising insecurity. The decision, announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, is a strategic move to support military operations, especially in hard-to-reach areas like the Sambisa Forest. The satellites — three Earth observation and one radar satellite — will offer around-the-clock imaging, even in bad weather.
This comes at a time when the military is raising concerns about terrorists in the northeast using armed drones similar to those seen in conflicts like Ukraine and Israel. The drones have been linked to increasingly sophisticated and deadly attacks, prompting security officials to push for better tech tools to stay ahead. The new satellites are expected to help in identifying hidden enemy positions, tracking movements, and cutting down the time it takes to respond to threats.
During the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology held in Abuja, Nnaji emphasised that President Tinubu’s administration is focused on solving real problems through innovation. The satellite project reflects a push to reduce dependency on foreign data and ramp up local surveillance capabilities.
But there’s more to this than just satellites. The minister also called out the long-standing disconnect between research and real-world impact in Nigeria. For years, groundbreaking work from local universities has sat idle, with no connection to industry or government use. Nnaji wants to change that by pushing for a National Research and Innovation Fund to back projects with commercial potential.
He stressed that the country is brimming with bright, young innovators but lacks structured systems to turn their ideas into market-ready products. Mentorship, funding, and policy support are key areas that need urgent attention if Nigeria wants to compete globally in technology and innovation.
To wrap things up, the government’s move is about more than launching satellites; it’s about building a stronger, tech-savvy economy. From security to innovation policy, Nigeria is trying to shift gears and use science and technology not just as buzzwords, but as real tools for national development.
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