The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the construction of a space museum and planetarium at the premises of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja. This was a sequel to the Request for Quotation issued in August 2021 by NASRDA to equip, operate and maintain a planetarium and a space museum through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. The project is expected to enhance staff capacity and create jobs for over 200 Nigerians while providing much-needed assistance to researchers in the field of space science and technology.

According to the Nigerian Minister of Science and Technology and Innovation, Dr Adeleke Mamora, the plan was approved by the cabinet, and the project costs about NGN 3.5 billion (USD 4,369,538), which comes at no cost to the Nigerian government.

Speaking on the space museum and planetarium, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Halilu Shaba, noted that the Centre had not fulfilled its mandate due to inadequate budgetary allocation. The Centre became operational in 2018 to provide educational and entertainment services to Nigerians about space science, technology and innovation. In addition, Dr Shaba noted that NASRDA received a proposal from Messrs Atlantic Factorial Nigeria Limited to upgrade, equip, operate and market the facilities having a concession period of 15 years.

Furthermore, Messrs and Milky Way Nigeria Limited will manage the facilities, with a shareholding of 70-30% in the first ten years and 60-40% in the last five years of the concession period for private proponents and the Federal Government. After the concession period, the project will revert to the Nigerian government.