NASRDA Secures NGN 20 Billion Take-Off Fund to Enforce Space Regulation in Nigeria
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is set to begin implementing long-awaited space regulation and licensing functions following the approval of an NGN 20 billion (~USD 13 million) take-off fund by President Bola Tinubu. NASRDA’s Director-General, Dr Matthew Adepoju, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, highlighting the agency’s renewed commitment to enforcing regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s space sector.
A Milestone in Nigeria’s Space Governance
Dr Adepoju explained that upon assuming office, he submitted a memo to President Tinubu emphasising the urgent need to regulate Nigeria’s space activities. This aligns with his promise during an interview with Space in Africa, signaling a “new dawn” for Nigeria’s space sector.
Citing Sections 6 and 9 of the NASRDA Act (established in 2010), which mandate the agency to oversee space activities, he stated: “When I raised that memo stating that our space can no longer be unregulated, President Tinubu graciously approved the take-off fund of NGN 20 billion a few months ago. This will enable us to commence space regulation and spectrum management in Nigeria.”
Despite being empowered to regulate the space sector under the NASRDA Act of 2010, the agency has not been able to exercise this function since its establishment in 1999.
Furthermore, Dr Adepoju stressed that the absence of regulation poses security threats and economic risks, making establishing oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse imperative. “Many activities in our space sector have security implications. If we don’t take charge now, it will continue to be misused.”
While the NGN 20 billion take-off fund has been approved, NASRDA has yet to access the funds due to bureaucratic procedures and resource availability constraints. Nonetheless, the agency has laid the groundwork for its regulatory and licensing functions.
Framework for Space Regulation in Nigeria
Dr Adepoju outlined the three segments of Nigeria’s space sector that will be covered under the regulatory framework:
- Upstream: Activities in deep space.
- Midstream: Operations involving space objects such as satellites in orbit.
- Downstream: Ground stations, satellite services, and space-based applications.
He emphasised the need to regulate these activities to prevent exploitation and ensure that Nigerians benefit from space technology. “Without regulation, Nigerians will be short-changed. People must be licensed, guidelines must be issued, and the spectrum within Nigeria must be monitored. NASRDA has had this mandate since 2010, and now we are ready to enforce it.”
Implications for Space Operators and National Security
The licensing process is now open to public and private space industry operators. Individuals and organisations offering space-related products and services—including satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), satellite-based telecommunications, and broadcasting—will be required to obtain NASRDA licenses.
In addition, Dr Adepoju warned of the risks associated with an unregulated sector, particularly in geospatial intelligence, where unlicensed operations could enable illicit activities by non-state actors.
Beyond security concerns, the regulatory framework is expected to support economic diversification, enhance local content in Nigeria’s space sector, and drive revenue generation. The new regulatory measures will directly impact industries such as oil and gas, shipping, and telecommunications, which rely heavily on space-based services.
With regulatory enforcement now underway, NASRDA’s initiative is a step further toward strengthening Nigeria’s space governance. The agency aims to safeguard national interests while nurturing a thriving space economy by ensuring compliance and oversight.