2ND EDITION NIGCOMSAT WEEK: STAKEHOLDERS LAUD ORGANIZERS .... As Egerton-Idehen Says Marking 20yrs Not With Nostalgia But With Clear-eyed Assessment of Where Agency Stands

Communications Minister, Tijani Bosun, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen MD NIGCOMSAT and the EVC NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida at the just concluded Second Edition of the 2026 NIGCOMSAT Week

"In the years since, NIGCOMSAT has grown from a single-satellite operator into a multi-service provider delivering connectivity, broadcasting infrastructure, and broadband services to government, enterprise, and telecom clients across Nigeria and the wider African continent. We mark twenty years not with nostalgia, but with a clear-eyed assessment of where we stand and what the next chapter demands of us.”  Egerton-Idehen, MD NIGCOMSAT 

At the recently concluded Second Edition of the NIGCOMSAT Week, with the theme; “The Space Race: The Convergence of Technology, Government and Opportunities,” that held on 30^th March 2026 at the prestigious Abuja Intercontinental Hotel (Formerly Sheraton Hotels), it was more of a gathering than the convening of industry leaders and government institutions; it was a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s collective commitment to harnessing the power of space for national development.

In a speech that drew huge applause, Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen disclosed that the event was a demonstration that the ambitions we have set for ourselves as a nation are being pursued with rigour, intentionality, and measurable results.

According to Egerton-Idehen, the theme of this year’s event, “Harnessing Space for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” captures precisely the moment we find ourselves in, noting that the theme challenges us not merely to celebrate what has been achieved, but to account for it honestly and to define clearly what must come next. Across two days of structured engagement, that challenge takes specific form.

Speaking further, the MD NIGCOMSAT pointed out that, under the theme, “The Space Race: The Convergence of Technology, Government and Opportunities,” we examine how Nigeria accelerates its participation in a global space economy that is moving faster than at any point in its history. Tomorrow, under the theme “Building Nigeria’s Space Future Through Strategic Alliance,” we turn our attention to the partnerships, policy frameworks, and institutional collaborations that will determine the scale and durability of that participation.

“These are not two separate conversations. They are two consecutive chapters of the same national story, and this week is where both are written. This edition of the Nigerian Satellite Week carries particular institutional significance, coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of NIGCOMSAT Limited. Two decades ago, Nigeria made a sovereign decision to own its place in space. That decision was not merely a technological milestone; it was a declaration of Nigeria’s readiness to participate in and shape one of the most consequential industries of the modern era. 

"In the years since, NIGCOMSAT has grown from a single-satellite operator into a multi-service provider delivering connectivity, broadcasting infrastructure, and broadband services to government, enterprise, and telecom clients across Nigeria and the wider African continent. We mark twenty years not with nostalgia, but with a clear-eyed assessment of where we stand and what the next chapter demands of us.” She stated.

She disclosed that, “Today’s programme speaks directly to the first of our two themes. The global space economy is undergoing its most consequential transformation in decades, driven by the commercialization of Low Earth Orbit, the proliferation of satellite broadband, and the growing recognition that space-based infrastructure is inseparable from national competitiveness. 

"Nigeria has not been a spectator to this transformation. We have been an active participant, deliberately building the technical capacity, institutional frameworks, and innovation pipeline required to compete and lead. That pipeline is represented on this stage today. The startups presenting their innovations before government officials, investors, and industry leaders are not peripheral to Nigeria’s space story; they are its next chapter.

“In line with our mandate to build capacity and empower the next generation of innovators, NIGCOMSAT has successfully conducted VSAT training programmes in Adamawa, Jigawa, Cross River, and Enugu States, equipping young Nigerians with the technical skills to harness satellite technology to deliver solutions in connectivity, education, agriculture, and commerce. The impact of these programmes is already visible, as startups are emerging with fresh ideas that strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and expand the reach of our space ecosystem.

“Complementing this capacity-building work is the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme, a dedicated initiative to incubate and 3 support early-stage technology ventures working at the intersection of satellite applications, last-mile connectivity, precision agriculture, and digital logistics. Across two cohorts, the programme has built the human and institutional capital that Nigeria’s space economy will require over the next decade. Tomorrow, we formally launch Cohort 3.0, a milestone that signals, with clarity, that the Accelerator is not a pilot. It is a permanent and expanding feature of how Nigeria builds its next generation of space-economy companies.”

The NIGCOMSAT Chief Executive stressed that, “Building Nigeria’s space future through strategic alliance is not an abstract aspiration. It is the work we have been doing, consistently and at pace. Over the past two years, revenue has doubled. A landmark Low Earth Orbit connectivity partnership has been secured with Eutelsat, one of the most significant commercial agreements in NIGCOMSAT’s history.

She noted that “Strategic cooperation with the Kenya Space Agency has been initiated, deepening Nigeria’s bilateral engagement in Africa’s emerging space economy, and NIGCOMSAT now holds the Vice Chairmanship of the Global Satellite Operators Association, placing Nigeria at the table where international satellite policy, spectrum governance, and orbital resource frameworks are actively shaped. These achievements are the compounding return on Nigeria's original sovereign decision, and they are the institutional credibility that NIGCOMSAT brings to every conversation, including the ones in this room today.

 

“Our commitment to digital inclusion runs as a constant thread through both days. Through Project 774, NIGCOMSAT is extending satellite-enabled connectivity to all local government areas across Nigeria, ensuring that the benefits of space technology reach every community, supporting economic activity, healthcare delivery, education, and social services in areas that terrestrial infrastructure has yet to serve. It is the clearest institutional expression of our conviction that the purpose of Nigeria’s space programme is not prestige; it is people.”

 

“We are deeply encouraged by the support of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose approval of two additional satellites for NIGCOMSAT represents a defining moment for Nigeria’s space programme and a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to sovereign satellite capability as a driver of national development and economic competitiveness. We equally acknowledge the invaluable guidance of the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, whose collaborative leadership has been instrumental in ensuring that NIGCOMSAT’s work remains aligned with the nation’s broader agenda for innovation and digital transformation.” Egerton-Idehen stated.

 

“As we work to optimize the remaining service life of NigComSat-1R and prepare the groundwork for the satellites that will succeed it, we do so with the confidence that comes from knowing our direction and the strength that comes from knowing we do not walk it alone. The work of building Nigeria’s space future is well underway,“ she concluded.

In a good will message, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida while welcoming participants to the Second Edition of the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026,  disclosed that the gathering comes at a significant point in Nigeria’s digital advancement, one that demands stronger cooperation, thoughtful innovation, and meaningful engagement with NigComSat and the broader community represented here.

 

“Events of this nature reflect the role of collective effort in shaping national progress. They bring together individuals and institutions whose commitment to building a better future continues to define the strength and direction of Nigeria’s space and satellite ecosystem.” He said.

 

“Satellite technology is now central to the expansion of our digital infrastructure. Its impact is evident across communication, security, education, emergency services, and broader technological development. At the Nigerian Communications Commission, our priority remains ensuring that these advancements deliver tangible benefits, improving access, enhancing service quality, and creating real opportunities for Nigerians. This focus guides our regulatory approach and informs our initiatives.

 

“NigComSat’s leadership in convening this event highlights a shared resolve to position Nigeria more strategically within the global space sector. The theme, “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” reflects a clear and collective aspiration, one anchored on knowledge, collaboration, and sustained innovation.

 

”To the researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, engineers, and emerging talents present, your contributions continue to shape the future of this industry. Your dedication, expertise, and forward-thinking approach remain critical to the progress we seek. I am confident that the discussions and partnerships fostered during this week will translate into practical outcomes that strengthen both our digital and space ecosystems.

 

He commended NigComSat for creating a platform that encourages thoughtful exchange and solution-driven engagement. We remain committed to supporting such efforts with clarity, purpose, and a strong belief in Nigeria’s capacity for growth.

 

Speaking also at the Second edition of the 2026 NIGCOMSAT Week, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W Shaibu, commended the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited and all co-organizers for assembling critical stakeholders committed to advancing Nigeria's space capabilities and harnessing the transformative potential of space technology for national development.

 

The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented at the event by Maj General K.O Osemwegie, Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, stressed that the presence of government representatives, space scientists, technology innovators, industry experts, academia and strategic partners, underscores the collective recognition that space has become an indispensable domain for national progress and security.

Speaking on the theme of this year's event, "Harnessing Space for an Extraordinary Nigeria", the Army Chief noted that the theme “resonates deeply with our national aspirations and the strategic imperatives of the Nigerian Army. Space technology today extends well beyond scientific curiosity. It shapes operational effectiveness, intelligence gathering, surveillance, communication, navigation and disaster response. The Nigerian Army recognizes that the contemporary security environment demands the integration of space-based capabilities into joint and multi-agency operations. We therefore remain committed to leveraging space assets in enhancing situational awareness, decision superiority and operational coordination across all theatres of operation.

 

Acknowledging the invaluable contributions of partners and stakeholders whose efforts continue to advance Nigeria's space programme, Lt. General Shaibu revealed that “collaboration between the military, government institutions, research bodies, the private sector and international partners have enhanced our capacity for satellite-based intelligence, remote sensing and communications support to operations. Such cooperation remains essential in addressing evolving threats including terrorism, insurgency, climate-induced disasters and cross-border crimes that require real-time space-enabled intelligence to prosecute effectively.

“The Nigerian Army is proud to be a beneficiary and active stakeholder in Nigeria's growing space ecosystem.” He concluded.