The Nigerian Space Program and Its Economic Development Model

Abstract

Abstract

The Nigerian space program is managed by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The space policy was approved in May 2000. The mandate of the agency as encapsulated in the policy is to vigorously pursue the attainment of space capabilities as an essential tool for the socioeconomic development of the nation and the enhancement of the quality of life for Nigerians. For a space program to be sustainable in emerging space-faring countries, there is a need to develop and implement a space economic development model. This study examines the Nigerian space program and its economic development model. Findings from this study indicate that the space economic model adopted in Nigeria is the public–private partnership model that involves the short-, medium-, and long-term plans. Within the short-term plan, the government is responsible for all investments in space technology development. In the medium-term, the government implements the partial commercialization of NASRDA's products and services developed during the short-term economic development plan. In the long-term plan, the government partners with the private sector to implement the public–private partnership framework for the space program. Consequently, within the short-term economic development plan, six research centers and two companies were established. The research centers are the Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos; Centre for Satellite Technology Development, Abuja; Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics, Toro; Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion, Epe; Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, Nsukka; and Centre for Space Science and Technology Education, Ile-Ife. The two companies are the Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat) Limited and the GeoApps Plus Limited (previously called Nigeriasat Imageries and Consultancy Services Limited). NigComSat Limited was set up in April 2006 to market products from the Nigerian communication satellites. Similarly, GeoApps Plus Limited was established in September 2007 to market products from the Nigerian earth observation satellites. It suffices to say that NASRDA is currently implementing its medium-term economic development agenda.