The Federal Government (FG) has emphasized that space exploration and technology are critical to Nigeria’s development, national security, and capacity to respond to global challenges.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 27, by Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
According to Ale, President Bola Tinubu made the remarks during his official visit to Brazil, where Nigeria entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South American nation to deepen collaboration in space science and technology.
The pact, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Luciana Santos, was witnessed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Nnaji stressed that space technology has become indispensable for economic growth and security, highlighting its relevance in addressing climate change, food security, disaster response, and digital innovation.
“The MoU represents a shared vision. Space technology offers Africa and Latin America a powerful tool to leapfrog into the future economy,” Nnaji said.
He explained that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda envisions harnessing space technology, ranging from satellites and rocket development to advanced data analytics, as tools to foster broad-based growth and national prosperity.
The agreement sets the stage for collaborative satellite projects in agriculture, climate change tracking, and national security, alongside joint efforts in spacecraft design, skill development, and knowledge exchange.
It also includes the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect forests in the Amazon and the Nigeria, Cameroon basins, while Earth observation systems will be employed to strengthen responses to natural disasters and food insecurity.
According to Santos, the partnership represents a move toward crafting solutions with global impact. President Lula da Silva described it as a bridge of innovation and solidarity linking two nations of the Global South.
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