The Federal Government has approved the launch of four satellites as part of efforts to boost national security and strengthen Nigeria’s innovation and technological capacity.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology (NCIST) held in Abuja from May 12 to 14. The theme of the meeting was “Research, Develop, Innovate and Commercialise: A Cycle for National Prosperity.”
According to the Minister, the Federal Executive Council recently gave approval for the launch of three Earth Observation satellites and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. The latter, he noted, would be capable of capturing images day and night and under all weather conditions, making it especially valuable for military surveillance operations.
“Just last week, the FEC approved the launch of four satellites worth millions of dollars. The radar satellite, in particular, will support real-time image capture, even in remote areas like the Sambisa forest, where military operations face logistical challenges,” Nnaji said.
He added that the satellite project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and represents a significant technological leap towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and data management capacity.
Strengthening Innovation and Research
Nnaji also spoke on the government’s ongoing review of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, led by an inter-ministerial committee working to establish a National Research and Innovation Fund.
Highlighting the importance of research commercialisation, he decried the longstanding disconnect between academia and industry, which has hindered the application of homegrown innovations.
“We can no longer ignore the gap between research and real-world impact. Many valuable findings from our universities remain unutilised, while young innovators lack the necessary support and mentorship to scale their ideas,” he stated.
He expressed hope that the 22nd NCIST would mark a turning point, fostering a culture where every innovation has a clear pathway to market, and where scientific research is integral to national development.
Memoranda and Key Focus Areas
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, said a total of 109 memoranda were submitted during the meeting, reflecting widespread stakeholder engagement across sectors.
She said key focus areas included the commercialisation of indigenous research, improved funding mechanisms, and capacity-building in emerging technologies such as climate resilience, health, agriculture, education, and energy.
In a goodwill message, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Dr Morris Mbaeri, underscored the relevance of the meeting’s theme in achieving sustainable development. He urged stronger ties between the private sector, academia, and government to drive the full cycle of Research, Development, Innovation, and Commercialisation (RDIC).
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Also speaking, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), called for increased national investment in research and development, recommending that R&D spending be raised to at least three per cent of GDP.
“We must operationalise the National Research and Innovation Council Fund to coordinate RDIC efforts as envisaged in the STI policy,” he said.
Nnaji concluded by assuring stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to restoring the annual schedule of the NCIST, noting that the 22nd edition had been delayed to 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances. Plans for the 23rd edition are already underway.
“We are committed to sustaining this momentum and accelerating our drive towards a more innovative and prosperous Nigeria,” he affirmed.
