Tinubu Approves Immediate Funding for Nigeria’s Space Assets, Advances 25-Year Development Plan

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to implementing the country’s National Space Policy under a revised 25-year development roadmap.

The directive was issued on Tuesday at the inaugural meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also approved that the financial requirements for executing the revised roadmap be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration.

“I hereby approve that the 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,” Tinubu said.

The move signals a renewed push by the administration to position Nigeria as an active participant in the rapidly expanding global space economy.

Strategic Focus on Economic Impact

Tinubu said Nigeria would not “watch the new frontier unfold from the sideline,” stressing that the country’s space ambitions must translate into measurable national value.

“Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value,” he said, adding that the programme should directly support agriculture, security, education, entrepreneurship, scientific research and evidence-based policymaking.

The President linked space development to broader economic diversification goals, describing outer space as a catalyst for technological innovation, environmental monitoring and digital infrastructure growth.

“Space technology remains the foundation for cybersecurity and a vibrant digital economy,” Tinubu said, noting that the global space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040.

He added that investment in space capabilities would strengthen precision agriculture, border security, disaster early-warning systems, aviation safety, telecommunications infrastructure and smart-city development.

Regulatory Enforcement and Funding Compliance

Tinubu directed the nation’s space authorities to enforce regulatory and spectrum management frameworks in line with the NASDRA Act 2010. He also instructed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private-sector operators, to comply fully with established space regulations.

The Federal Ministry of Finance was mandated to ensure the timely release of approved funds to support the programme’s implementation.

Nigeria’s lead agency in the sector, the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), will oversee key aspects of the roadmap’s execution.

Council Resolutions and Institutional Reforms

Speaking after the meeting, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, described the session as historic, citing several resolutions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s space ecosystem.

The Council approved revised Conditions of Service and Staff Regulations for NASRDA to align with international best practices. The adjustment is intended to improve remuneration and curb the migration of skilled Nigerian space professionals.

A technical working group was also constituted to refine and operationalise the revised 25-year roadmap. The group will include representatives from NASRDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Defence Space Agency, and the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), among other stakeholders.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre

The Council further approved the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Ekpe.

According to the Minister, the facility is expected to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to launch and maintain satellites domestically, reducing reliance on foreign technical services.

Long-Term Positioning

Analysts say the renewed emphasis on space development aligns with Nigeria’s broader push toward technology-driven growth and revenue diversification amid fiscal constraints.

While implementation will depend on Federal Executive Council approval and sustained funding, Tuesday’s resolutions mark one of the clearest policy signals yet that the Tinubu administration views space infrastructure as integral to national economic strategy rather than a peripheral scientific ambition.

For Nigeria, the challenge now shifts from policy articulation to execution — and whether its space investments can deliver tangible economic and security dividends in the years ahead.