Dr Rakiya Abdullahi Babamaaji currently serves as Deputy Director at the Strategic Space Applications Department, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), overseeing the Natural Resources Management Division and acting as the Head of the Cadastral Mapping and Urban Space Applications (CMUSA). Dr Rakiya Babamaaji journey into the space industry began somewhat unexpectedly. 

Following her tertiary education, Dr Rakiya Babamaaji did her mandatory Youth Service at the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Department in an oil Company (Chevron Lekki, Nigeria), where her interest in environmental issues grew. Subsequently, she obtained a Master’s in Environmental Resources Management from the University of Lagos. Soon after, she joined the newly established National Space Research & Development Agency despite initially considering a career in the oil industry.

Dr Rakiya Babamaaji introduction to the space industry sparked her curiosity, prompting her to further educate herself. Dr Rakiya Babamaaji pursued a second Master’s in Space Management, focusing on Earth observation at the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg, France. This opportunity opened doors for her within the space sector. While at the ISU, Dr Rakiya Babamaaji had the privilege of interning at the Canadian Space Agency, where she worked on projects related to water resource management in Africa. This experience broadened her perspective on the applications of space technology.

Upon returning to Nigeria, Dr Rakiya Babamaaji continued her work at NASRDA, focusing on capacity building and utilising space applications for various projects, including water management in the Chad Basin. Subsequently, she was offered the opportunity to pursue an Integrated Ph.D. in Geosciences and Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After completing her doctoral studies in 2013, Dr Rakiya Babamaaji resumed her responsibilities in Nigeria, applying her newfound expertise to further the agency’s objectives. 

Over more than 20 years of working in the space sector, Dr Rakiya Babamaaji has remained an inspirational figure for many people. She continues to set a high achievement standard, mainly when promoting greater female participation and involvement in Africa’s space industry. Dr Rakiya Babamaaji’s accomplishments and unwavering dedication motivate others, especially women interested in pursuing careers in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Space in Africa chatted with Dr Rakiya Babamaaji to learn more about her work in developing environmental solutions targeted towards sustainable national, continental, and global development.

What key projects or initiatives have you been involved in at the National Space Research and Development Agency, and what specific sustainable development impacts can you point to?

Over my more than 20 years at NASRDA, we have undertaken numerous projects, each with significant impacts at national and regional levels. We have focused on aligning our efforts with the national agenda, targeting various sectors crucial for Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable development. NASRDA’s mandate emphasises leveraging space capabilities for socioeconomic advancement through research, education, engineering, and appropriate technological solutions.

My department, the Department of Strategic Space Applications, comprises five divisions covering natural resources management, environment and climate change, hazard and disaster management, cadastral mapping and urban space applications, and security and geospatial intelligence. We manage natural resources, including agriculture, ecotourism, and water resources.

One of our significant projects is focused on the Lake Chad Basin (LBC), one of the hottest hotspots on the verge of climate change impact because the water in Lake Chad has been diminishing, and the ecosystem has been distorted. So, we constantly monitor the Lake Chad Basin regarding the area’s water level, biodiversity, and hydrological analysis. We have been working with the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and related stakeholders in the area. In addition, we have worked with the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Early Warning Department and LCBC to conduct a Regional Risk and Vulnerability Assessment study of LCB in four countries sharing the Lake (Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Nigeria).

My involvement in research, particularly my PhD work on the hydrological analysis of Lake Chad and the impact of climate change, led me to contribute to its management.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources invited me to the Technical Committee that organised the 2018 International Conference on Lake Chad Basin (ICLC) with the theme ‘Saving the Lake Chad to Revitalise the Basin’s Ecosystem for Sustainable Livelihood, Security, and Development’ which President Muhammadu Buhari spearheaded with five presidents in attendance and stakeholders from national and international organisations in Abuja in 2018. I served as a member of the technical group that developed a roadmap for the restoration of Lake Chad and water transfer into Lake Chad.

Another noteworthy project is our partnership with AIRCAS in the CropWatch programme, initiated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). I was invited to participate in the CropWatch implementation training by UNCTAD. After several deliberations, Nigeria joined CropWatch in 2020, and by 2021, we signed an MOU with CropWatch to become a member.

CropWatch is a platform for monitoring agricultural production, which has 32 indicators, including condition and stress index mapping, arable land mapping, and cropland area estimation using high-resolution satellite imagery. For the first time, we have data from the local government level to states and the national level, which we disseminate and use to advise about farming activities and the condition of the land used for farming. Through CropWatch, we utilise space-based data to monitor agricultural progress globally, continentally, and nationally. Nigeria’s participation in CropWatch has provided valuable insights into agricultural conditions, helping to inform decision-making and policy formulation.

Furthermore, we collaborate with IITA, University of Delaware, and University of Maryland on precision agriculture using AI. This involves NASA’s HARVEST project, deploying GoPro cameras on helmets attached to motorcycles or vehicles to collect field data. This data is used to calibrate and validate satellite data.

Additionally, we are mapping the hydrology and conducting hydrological analysis of most basins across Nigeria. NASRDA has analysed the Chad Basin and is working on the Katsina-Ala in the Benue River Basin. My department is conducting an impact analysis for potential Lake Nyos eruptions or Lake Chad overflow flooding scenarios. We aim to ensure that all river basins in Nigeria undergo analysis using geospatial data concerning hydrological and flood vulnerability. Furthermore, we strive to support relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Emergency Management Agency, the National Hydrological Services Agency, and any other institution or stakeholder that needs this geospatial data.

We aim to benefit all stakeholders in national development by providing valuable data for informed decision-making.

How do you foster interdisciplinary collaboration within your department to address complex challenges that require expertise across multiple MDAs in Nigeria?

We engage with various MDAs to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex challenges that require expertise across multiple sectors. Our approach involves the following steps:

Firstly, we engage with relevant MDAs and stakeholders, assuring them of our supportive role with geospatial data. We aim to provide satellite and space-based data to aid Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Secondly, we have implemented a policy allowing free access to data. The 2010 Act mandates that NASRDA be the repository of all satellite data in Nigeria’s territory. All space data collaborations in Nigeria involve NASRDA. Our policy allows free access to NASRDA’s satellite images, especially for research, fostering collaborative information sharing. This policy extends to academic institutions conducting research, other stakeholders, and federal agencies.

Thirdly, NASRDA leads the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI), coordinating objectives with the NGDI Committee members as needed. NGDI promotes cooperation among geospatial data stakeholders nationwide. It includes public, private, academic sectors, civil society, and the general public. This collaboration ensures adequate geospatial data and services are consistently available for evidence-based decision-making and service delivery.

Furthermore, to ensure the long-term integration and sustainability of geospatial analytics in the country, the Government of Nigeria, through NASRDA, assumed the management, hosting, and maintenance of the GRID3 Nigeria data and portal. To ensure a smooth transition, the GRID3 Nigeria team (PIT), including myself, provided technology transfer and training to NASRDA staff. This enabled them to establish essential resources, infrastructure, and skills.

We actively engage with MDAs and provide targeted support. For instance, the Universal Basic Education Commission approached NASRDA to map all primary and secondary schools nationwide. The Nigeria GRID3 Project used data in Kaduna State to identify districts lacking sufficient school facilities. This initiative increased schools and teachers in underserved areas, thus improving access to state education. Building on this success, we have expanded our efforts and mapped several other states nationwide.

Similarly, during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the Anchor Borrowers Programme was introduced to support farmers. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), responsible for managing this programme, has engaged our services. NASRDA assisted the CBN in mapping farmlands to monitor if the loans provided to farmers were used correctly. Our mapping enabled tracking of the farming cycle from planting to harvesting, ensuring accountability.

Only a few young people, especially young females, are interested in studying courses such as GIS and remote sensing. What kind of model can we implement across African countries that can spark young talents’ interest and improve their participation in the space industry?

For me, there is nothing a woman wants to do that she cannot do. There’s nothing the youth want to do that they cannot do. We have the power to change the course of events. It’s just about putting the proper facilities, guidance, and counselling in place to encourage the young. It is essential to inspire young girls and boys to strive to achieve their potential, particularly in STEM. We must encourage women and young girls to pursue careers in these areas.

Furthermore, we must encourage youth to explore beyond art and social sciences and embrace the core sciences. It’s crucial to provide secondary counselling and mentorship opportunities for the youth. We must make them see us as role models and think, “If she can do it, I can too.” That’s why NASRDA has an educational outreach programme. We visit schools, talk to students, bring them to NASRDA, and expose them to various STEM programmes. These include space science and engineering activities like stargazing with telescopes, Space Hackathons, and museums equipped with virtual tours. These activities spark their interest in pursuing careers in the space industry. 

Often, you realise that young people are oblivious that the space ecosystem is much bigger than the upstream sector. It is not just about rocket building; various roles exist to explore. They need to understand the boundless opportunities across the ecosystem. We must raise awareness and sensitize them further to realign their perspectives. Even if someone is studying law or social sciences, they still have a role to play in space. It’s not just about rocket building; various roles exist to explore. Africa is also making strides with initiatives like Women in GMES and the GMES & Africa Academic Network. These programs bring professionals and experts together to interact and learn from each other. Their aim is to improve gender equality and advance academic research in education and EO-related careers.

Another aspect is incorporating space into our curriculum in Nigeria. While there have been some space-related programmes, we need to do more. Significant improvement has occurred since the early 2000s, with more Nigerian institutions offering space-related courses. However, we need to make it more accessible, starting from the undergraduate level. Many space-related courses are currently at the master’s level, which shouldn’t be the case. We need to collaborate with the National University Commission to introduce more space subjects at the undergraduate level. Additionally, we should provide opportunities for universities to incorporate these courses into their curriculum.

For instance, NASRDA has two institutions, including the Institute of Space Science and Engineering at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) campus in Abuja, offering postgraduate and graduate studies in space-related fields. Additionally, NASRDA supervises the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education – English (ARCSSTEE), which mainstreams the space science discipline into Nigeria’s educational system. This training prepares our staff and students from English-speaking countries nationwide for their roles at NASRDA. Gradually, we hope to expand these efforts and make space education more accessible to all.

Can you share your insights as a new African Space Council member and its role in coordinating Africa’s space activities?

As a member of the African Space Council, I am grateful to Nigeria and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The support from the Nigerian High Commission in Addis Ababa and the African Union Commission has been invaluable. I sincerely thank my Director-General for recognizing my capabilities to represent Nigeria and nominating me. I lack the words to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve my continent adequately.

The Executive Council of the African Union elected the first African Space Council (ASC) members. The ASC will oversee the operationalisation of the African Space Agency (AfSA) and serve as its governing body. It will ensure alignment with the African Union’s (AU) broader policy objectives, including Agenda 2063. Once operational, I’ll discuss my priorities as a Council member. Nonetheless, I’m committed to leveraging space activities to address African challenges nationally and continentally.