Nigeria to Launch Two Earth Monitoring Satellites By 2029

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The federal government of Nigeria is to launch two earth monitoring satellites between 2028 and 2029.

Both the Minister of Communicatios Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani and the Director General of the Nigerian Satellite Communications Ltd (NigComSat), spoke on the development.

They both spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week of March 30/31 with the theme: Harnessing Space Technology for the Extraordinary Nigerian ” the event was organised by the NigComSat on Monday in Abuja.

The Minister said, President Bola Tinubu has approved the acquisition of two (Sat 2A and Sat 2B) earth monitoring satellites for NigComSat to enhance security within and around Nigeria’s boarders.

“We’re grateful that things are beginning to compound. Because the President has the clarity that you cannot drive the growth you want to see in digital economy without the right infrastructure.

“We also have image satellite, earth observation satellite as well. But those satellites have been there for a while. They need upgrading.

“President has now approved the two of them.”

When asked when the two satellite will be launched Mrs. Edaton-Edehen said, “we have started the process; we have closed the tender. Now we are back into the financing and implementation stage. 2A is built to come up in 2028 and 2B for 2029.”

On aiding security within and around our boarders when launched she said, “when they are up and running, they are expected to provide security within the borders and neighbouring countries. Could you please expand on that? Yes.

“They’re expected to support the security agencies because we know that for security agency, data collection and intelligence collection is important. But the timing to do it in real time, and that’s what satellites like communication satellites can allow you. Irrespective of where they are.

Director General National Space Department Research Agency, Dr. Mathew Adepoju, speaking on the nation’s space development said, “we have advanced our knowledge. We have acquired critical skills.
Within the country and outside the country, still pushing the boundary of our research and development.

“And the model we are running is for us to develop indigenous capacity in satellite development, satellite of every kind of applications, as well as our capacity to put the satellite in the orbit.”