The Astronomy Society of Nigeria (ASN) has called on the Federal Government to invest in developing indigenous capacity for space exploration.
The Acting President of ASN, Dr Bonaventure Okere, made the appeal on Thursday in an interview while reacting to insights from NASA’s Artemis II Moon mission and its implications for science and technological development in Nigeria and Africa.
Okere said the Artemis II mission has opened new frontiers in global space exploration and should encourage African nations to increase investments in astronomy, satellite development, propulsion systems, and space research.
He noted that Nigeria stands to benefit significantly if it invests in space science, particularly in communication technology, satellite deployment, and related innovations.
“In astronomy, most of our research and observations are done in frequency bandwidths, and if the government can invest in it, it will help our communication technology,” he said.
He added that Nigeria could develop its own propulsion systems and eventually launch satellites locally, describing it as an opportunity for economic growth, technological advancement, and national development.
Okere further stated that Nigeria already has a strong pool of scientists and researchers working in various areas of space science, including satellite technology and space food studies.
He disclosed that Nigerian researchers are already examining how local crops and seeds respond to space conditions, which could be vital for future human space missions.
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According to him, the Artemis programme represents a renewed global effort to explore deep space, nearly 50 years after the last manned lunar missions.
He explained that the mission aims to deepen scientific understanding of the Moon and prepare for possible future human settlement beyond Earth.
“Every night, we see only one side of the Moon because of the way it rotates around the Earth. This mission is helping scientists study the other side and determine its potential to support future human activities,” he said.
Okere added that although astronauts did not land on the Moon during the mission, valuable data was collected to guide future lunar exploration and long-term habitation plans.
He said one of the key areas of study is how deep-space radiation and microgravity affect the human body, including organs, sleep patterns, and immune systems.
According to him, the findings will be crucial in preparing for future long-duration space travel.
He also highlighted the importance of advancements in deep-space communication technology, noting that many modern communication systems originated from earlier space programmes.
Okere further pointed out that astro-tourism is emerging as a major economic opportunity, citing the large number of people who followed recent space launch activities globally.
He said Nigeria and other African countries should take advantage of such developments by investing in space science and building local capacity for innovation and exploration.
