President Bola Tinubu yesterday directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets, declaring that the nation would not be a bystander in the unfolding global space economy projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the maiden meeting of the National Space Council held at the State House, Abuja, said Nigeria’s space ambitions must be anchored on measurable outcomes, accountability and tangible national value.

To reinforce the commitment, Tinubu approved that the cost of implementing the revised 25-year roadmap for the National Space Policy and Programme be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.

“I hereby approve that cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval,” he said.

In a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Tinubu stressed that Nigeria must actively participate in the rapidly expanding space frontier.

“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sideline. We will participate, we will compete; we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value,” he declared.

He explained that the country’s investments in the sector were driven by the immense opportunities in outer space as a catalyst for technological advancement, economic diversification and sustainable development.

According to him, space technology provides the platform for precision agriculture, enhanced border security, early warning systems for floods and fires, smarter urban planning, safer airspace, stronger communications infrastructure and a competitive digital economy.

“When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream. We are funding precision in agriculture and security in our borders; we are funding early warning systems against floods and fires, smarter cities, safer skies, stronger communications and a digital economy that can compete with the best in the world,” Tinubu said.

He added that outer space presents a unique opportunity for effective exploration and management of natural resources as well as environmental protection.

The President directed the nation’s space agency to strictly enforce the regulatory and spectrum management framework provided under the NASDRA Act 2010, urging all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), stakeholders and private sector players to comply fully with the space regulatory framework.

He further instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure timely release of all approved funds to support the sector’s growth.

“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guess work,” he said.

Shedding light on the Council’s deliberations, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Udeh, described the meeting as historic, noting that it recorded landmark decisions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s space industry and ecosystem.

Among the resolutions adopted was the approval of the Conditions of Service and Staff Regulation for the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency to align with international best practices.

Udeh explained that the move was designed to ensure competitive remuneration for experts in the space sector, thereby curbing brain drain and retaining Nigerian professionals to sustain the nation’s space programme.

The Council also approved the constitution of a working group of space experts to refine and implement the revised 25-year roadmap. Members of the group include representatives of NASRDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Defence Space Agency and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, among other stakeholders in the space ecosystem.

In addition, the Council approved the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Ekpe.

According to the Minister, the centre will enhance Nigeria’s capacity to launch satellites into orbit and reduce reliance on foreign expertise for satellite hosting and maintenance.