The Next Chapter in Nigerian Space Programme: Insights from NASRDA’s Leadership

In May 2024, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, appointed Dr Matthew Olumide Adepoju as the new Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), succeeding Dr Halilu Ahmad Shaba who had led the agency from April 2021 to May 2024. 

Space in Africa recently interviewed Dr Adepoju to discuss his vision for Nigeria’s space programme and the key initiatives he plans to implement to transform the country’s space sector. The conversation covered both short-term and long-term priorities for NASRDA, focusing on increasing private-sector involvement and making space technology more relevant to everyday Nigerians. 

During the interview, Dr Adepoju emphasised his dedication to creating a thriving and sustainable space ecosystem in Nigeria, driven by active participation from the private sector. He outlined several ambitious projects, including an astronaut programme, the development of new satellites, and plans for establishing a spaceport. The discussion also explored NASRDA’s efforts to commercialise research outputs, develop public-private partnerships, and generate revenue to support its various programmes, with Dr Adepoju’s vision aiming to position Nigeria as a significant player in the African and global space sectors while ensuring that the benefits of space technology reach all Nigerians.

What is your vision for NASRDA, and what key milestones do you aim to achieve during your tenure?

My vision for NASRDA is to establish a thriving, sustainable space ecosystem in Nigeria driven by active private-sector participation. I will actively engage the private sector to drive Nigeria’s space industry, knowing that government efforts alone won’t unlock its full potential.

This integration will accelerate innovation and development and ensure that the space ecosystem contributes tangibly to the national economy and the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Some of my key targets include:

1. Commercialisation of Research Outputs: We will commercialise the extensive research from NASRDA’s 25-year history as a key milestone. Transforming research into viable products and services is essential to demonstrating the value of our space programme to the general public and ensuring that our investments yield tangible benefits.
2. Private Sector Engagement: I aim to facilitate their robust involvement by creating conducive policies, partnerships, and investment opportunities. This will help drive innovation, reduce dependency on government funding, and make a self-sustaining space industry in Nigeria.
3. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Establishing strategic public-private partnerships will be crucial in bridging the gap between research and market-ready solutions. These collaborations will help leverage private sector expertise and resources to bring cutting-edge space technologies to market.
4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer: I plan to focus on capacity building within NASRDA and the wider Nigerian space sector to support these goals. We will actively drive knowledge transfer across the country and through international partnerships, equipping our workforce to lead in space innovation.
5. Impact on Everyday Nigerians: I will ensure NASRDA’s efforts directly translate into real-world benefits for Nigerians, which will be the measure of my tenure. Whether through improved satellite communications, enhanced agricultural productivity via Earth observation, or other space-enabled services, my priority is to ensure that the space programme delivers clear and measurable benefits to all citizens.

By achieving these milestones, I will position Nigeria as a leader in the African space sector, advancing scientific and technological frontiers, driving economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.

We are six years away from Nigeria’s 25-year space roadmap, and there is still much to achieve. What will be the priorities for the next six years?

Nigeria’s space programme will focus on several critical priorities to achieve the goals outlined in its 25-year space roadmap, which we are reviewing to reflect the current landscape. Despite some missed timelines, including the astronaut programme, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite development, and the launch facility for a “made in Nigeria” satellite, we have achieved a lot within the roadmap and are progressing on the missed milestones. 

For instance, through a collaboration with the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), we are looking to place a Nigerian in orbit within the next year. Additionally, the SAR satellite, initially planned for launch in 2018, has received approval from the Nigerian president, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and will be part of a new set of spacecraft, including three Earth observation satellites and the SAR satellite.

Earlier this year, the announcement of Nigeria’s astronaut programme surprised many in the space community, especially with the decision to select the astronaut through a public process rather than limiting it to space professionals. Could you provide more details on this initiative’s origin and its impact on the industry?

NASRDA recently signed an MoU with the American Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) to facilitate Nigeria’s first human spaceflight. This initiative is part of SERA’s collaboration with Blue Origin to develop a human spaceflight programme for six individuals from nations historically lacking space access. Five seats will be reserved for partner nations with few or no astronauts, while the sixth seat will open to candidates from any country. 

The selection of our astronaut will involve a public voting mechanism. The process will be open to every Nigerian, irrespective of age or profession. Thus, people can campaign and vote for their preferred candidates. We will conduct multiple rounds, and the top three vote-getters will make our final selections.

What about the satellite projects you mentioned?

Regarding NASRDA’s satellite programme, we plan to upgrade and expand our national satellite capabilities with three new satellites. But our focus is wider than satellites. We are also developing technologies for rocketry, propulsion, astronomy, communication, Earth observation, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). We want to pay attention to all sectors of the space ecosystem. Therefore, one of my first actions as Director General was to send one of our top officers to China for a GNSS programme. We intend to launch partnerships focusing on GNSS applications, as this area has significant resources and opportunities for Nigeria and Africa. Also, we intend to set up a company within NASRDA to commercialise the products of our scientific innovations in this field.

We have submitted a memo for our rocketry and propulsion programmes to the President. We need top-level engagement with local state governments to secure land that gives us a comparative advantage to reach orbit. Our proximity to the equator is crucial, as launching from there provides the shortest path to space, potentially saving hundreds of millions of dollars per launch. Furthermore, we are already negotiating a partnership with a foreign company as we plan to do sea and land-based launches. We’re pushing hard for these programmes and hope that the President and the Governor of Lagos State will grant our request to operate a launch site near the Atlantic Ocean, which we’ve identified as the best location.

Does that mean the Center for Space Transport and Propulsion (CSTP) site along the Lagos Lagoon in Epe is temporary?

Yes, the current CSTP site is temporary. We are now working to secure a permanent location. We’ve requested land from the Lagos State government for a permanent site to serve as a spaceport where we can conduct our rocketry launches. We have identified partners who are genuinely committed to this project. We’ve already held meetings with them, and soon, activities in this area will become more visible to the public.

Since you assumed office, we have observed numerous collaborations, MOUs, and meetings with organisations within and outside Africa. What specific challenges or pain points are you addressing in these collaborations?

Our approach is to sign MoUs with partners whose capabilities we’ve assessed, whose suitability we’ve confirmed, and whose programmes align with ours. These MoUs serve as frameworks for engagement. For example, five African countries, including Nigeria, had signed an MoU for the African Infrastructure Development Satellite before my time. Earlier this year, at the 67th Session of the UN COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space), I had a bilateral meeting with the CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, Dr Sherif Sedky, who’s leading this collaboration. I informed him that I’d evaluate the situation upon returning to Nigeria. Since then, I’ve met with the Honourable Minister, and we’re planning to ensure Nigeria’s promised component for the satellite is available within the 2024 budget.

Furthermore, some of our partnerships have been developing for a long time. For instance, we signed the Artemis Accords last year, an instrument allowing access to critical space programmes and collaboration with the United States. A direct outcome of this is the astronaut programme we’re now partnering on. These accords are necessary to pursue what we’re doing in that regard, and we’re putting together numerous building blocks to ensure NASRDA achieves outstanding results for Nigerians. 

Is there a plan to expand or enhance Nigeria’s existing ground stations? Additionally, are there plans to offer ground segment services as a commercial offering?

A ground station is essential for any space agency. These come in various types, depending on the specific use cases. For instance, in astronomy, you need a ground station specially calibrated to observe celestial bodies. That’s why we have telescopes at our Center for Basic Space Science. We have a ground station there with telescopes for astronomical observations. We recently established a partnership agreement with the Chinese government. This partnership allows us to download and process data from Chinese satellites as they pass over our territory. This arrangement is mutually beneficial—we can use the data, our partners can use it, and the Chinese partners can also access it.

At NASRDA, we’re considering ground stations as a service (GSaaS) as a potential business venture. There are numerous opportunities in this area that we can explore. We’re investigating all available options to maximise the potential of our ground station capabilities.

Improving the ease of doing business in the space sector is crucial for private-sector engagement. What legal and business-oriented steps will NASRDA take to increase private sector involvement and stimulate innovation and investment in Nigeria’s space industry?

Upon becoming the DG, we thoroughly analysed the agency and identified its ‘Achilles heel‘. Based on this assessment, I have created new departments within the agency to address the new realities. One of the new departments is the Space Enterprise Department. This department’s function is to go beyond the government space apparatus and engage directly with the private sector. The aim is to identify private entities and stakeholders who can play critical roles in driving Nigeria’s space ecosystem and then bring them on board as partners.

Another new department we’ve created is the Space Regulation and Spectrum Management Department. This department is tasked with developing the necessary frameworks, guidelines, and institutional structures to enable more private-sector participation in the space sector. Without clear rules, regulations, and an enabling regulatory environment, it has been very challenging for private players to enter and operate in this environment. 

I’ve also established a Department of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to interface directly with the highly skilled and talented Nigerian youth who can develop innovative solutions. The plan is to partner with these young innovators, support them through initiatives like hackathons, and help them establish their startups and enterprises.

My overall vision is to drive a change in the national orientation—moving away from just producing graduates without the required entrepreneurial skills and towards empowering them to create their own companies and startups. This, in turn, will help grow the workforce, reduce the pressure on the government, and strengthen the development of Nigeria’s space ecosystem.

Many national space agencies are moving away from relying solely on government funding by generating additional income to reinvest in R&D and other areas. Do you plan to develop revenue-generating initiatives within the agency to support your short- and long-term programmes?

I’ve introduced several new initiatives, including the Space Enterprise Department. We’ve recognised that if the government doesn’t provide adequate budgets, we’re severely limited in what we can achieve. We can’t continue operating under these constraints. In addition, my position as Co-chair of the Africa Space Economy Conference and Exhibition has provided me with valuable insights into the market potential and opportunities available to us. This knowledge has been instrumental in shaping the policies we’ve introduced.

Our analysis revealed an area we hadn’t previously addressed, resulting in the Space Regulations and Spectrum Management department. We’re now focusing on developing these units, as they will be a significant revenue generator for us in the future. If we can implement our plans as intended and with the President’s backing, the space sector can become fully self-sustainable. This would allow us to fund most of our programmes independently, reducing the burden on the government only to fund our flagship programmes. In addition, we recognise numerous opportunities and potential revenue streams available in the space sector, and we are vigorously pursuing these. We aim to transform the agency into a more self-reliant and financially sustainable entity capable of driving innovation and growth in Nigeria’s space industry.

What key investment opportunities are available for investors interested in Nigeria’s space sector, and how will NASRDA ensure a positive and transparent investment experience?

The space sector has various segments, including tourism, communication, Earth observation, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). With our newly established structure, we can identify where investors can participate. One of our research breakthroughs is a graphene-based supercapacitor. It can be used for batteries that optimise life by 60% compared to current technology. This graphene-based solution has better capacity than commercial alternatives. Many of these innovations are in the final stages of commercialisation, with some already patented and undergoing assessment for full commercialisation.

Next year, we plan to host a workshop at the African Space Economy Conference and Exhibition. There, we’ll demonstrate and showcase these innovations, bringing significant investors to the table to see the opportunities in the space sector. Similarly, we’ve developed GPS technology that can be integrated into school children’s bags or shoes, providing real-time location of each student to their parents. We aim to commercialise this by partnering with state governments and private schools. We’ve also researched interface boards for mobile devices that can be leveraged into laptops or UPS systems. When we showcased some of our work to the Nigerian Minister of  Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, he was amazed that we could produce technologies locally that some MDAs planned to procure from China.

These are just some of the low-hanging fruits. We have abundant opportunities and a wealth of talented Nigerian scientists and innovators. About two years ago, we ran a hackathon that produced innovative ideas from young Nigerians. That is why we established the Department of Space Enterprise—to foster full engagement with the private sector. In the past, we only had a little private-sector involvement in our programmes. Moving forward, I want our initiatives to be private-sector-driven.

What are the main challenges you face, and what strategies are you implementing or planning to ensure effective execution of your plans?

My primary task is to reorient our staff. We’re making a complete 360-degree shift from being an agency that primarily provides service support to one that will actively engage with the private sector. This transition will naturally cause some movement and changes within the organisation. I’ve started by holding top management meetings, as it’s crucial to align the directors before cascading the message down to all staff. I’ve engaged with the entire staff, and now I’m meeting with each department individually. After completing departmental meetings, I’ll move to our centres and laboratories.

The goal is to communicate our new expectations. We’re emphasising that NASRDA can’t continue paying salaries without delivering tangible services and products for the country and generating revenue for the agency and Nigeria. Thus, staff capacity building is integral to achieving our objectives. During my screening, I pleaded with senators to allocate a budget for training and retraining our officers. Some haven’t received additional training since returning from overseas programmes 5-6 years ago. Continuous training is critical given how rapidly space technology evolves—often becoming outdated within six months to a year.

Furthermore, we lack budget lines for sending officers to important conferences and workshops. Many of our staff rely on foreign sponsors for such opportunities, which could be better for a space agency. I’m making a passionate appeal to the National Assembly and the executive for proper funding and funding mechanisms. Space science and technology often struggle when funded through regular budgets; special funds or funding mechanisms are typically created for space programmes. Also, I’m engaging with our honourable minister to explore alternative funding mechanisms. We recently met with the managing director of the Bank of Industry, who has promised to look into innovation funding for our ministry. We’re exploring these avenues at NASRDA to ensure sustainability and growth for our agency and Nigeria’s space programme.

How is the adoption and implementation of space services, and how do you plan to collaborate more with other MDAs in Nigeria?

We’ve made significant progress integrating our activities with various ministries, departments, and agencies. However, we face a common challenge in Africa, particularly in Nigeria: administrative bureaucracy. Different departments within the federal government often need to communicate more effectively with each other. When we reach out to them, it’s sometimes perceived as if we’re trying to infringe on their responsibilities, even though we intend to enable them to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively.

Despite these challenges, we’re persevering. NASRDA actively supports and participates in institutions like the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Society of Engineers. Through these platforms, we’re spreading the message that NASRDA is meant to serve all Nigerians and to support federal and state government projects and programmes. As a result of our efforts, some state governments are now engaging with us. We’ve also had productive interactions with various federal ministries, including the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture. We’re also in the final stages of discussions with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The Ministry of Defence remains one of our key partners. We’ve supported them in various ways, including training and data support. We’re committed to continuing this work and providing services to ensure that Nigeria maximises the benefits of its investment in the Nigerian Space Agency. We aim to ensure that our products and services are fully utilised across all levels of government and society.

What can the average Nigerian expect from NASRDA regarding solutions, applications, and implementation programmes that will impact their daily lives?

I want to appeal to Nigerian youth regarding skill acquisition. The current era is vastly different from the past. Today’s Nigerian youth can gain valuable skills from their laptops or phones by accessing open-source training platforms. These platforms offer opportunities to acquire skills in AI, image processing, and various applications of space products and services. Our agency is open and ready to engage with youth who develop initiatives based on these skills. We’re ready to talk with them, engage with them, and offer platforms for them to experiment and grow. With the assurance we’ve received from the President for our programmes, we’re more determined than ever to do more for Nigerians.

If the NASRDA performs well under my leadership, which I’m confident we will, it will become a source of pride for Nigerians at home and abroad. We had a proposed programme about six weeks ago regarding our services for Nigerians. I’ve directed my team to take this programme to the grassroots level. We aim to make information from Earth observation and meteorological satellites directly applicable and consumable for small farm owners in Nigeria. This will help enhance their products and services and provide early warnings before disasters.

It breaks my heart to recall a recent video I saw of a farmer who lost his entire plantation due to an unexpected break in rainfall during the planting season. If good information had been available and disseminated, that farmer could have saved his farmland by mobilising help to water the crops.

This is just one out of thousands of examples nationwide, and we will ensure that we bridge these information gaps and make space technology practical and beneficial for all Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.