Tinubu Approves N20bn for NASRDA to Regulate Space Activities

President Bola Tinubu has approved a N20 billion take-off fund for the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to enforce space regulation in Nigeria.

NASRDA’s Director-General, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, revealed that since its establishment in 1999, the agency’s regulatory functions under the NASRDA Act, 2010, had not been implemented.

The funds will support space regulation and spectrum management, ensuring Nigeria’s space sector is properly controlled.

Adepoju emphasized the need to prevent the misuse of Nigeria’s space resources, especially in areas with security implications.

Although the agency has not yet accessed the funds, it has started setting up regulatory and licensing frameworks.

Nigeria’s space sector consists of three segments:

1. Upstream – Deep space exploration

2. Midstream – Satellites and space objects

3. Downstream – Ground stations and space service users

NASRDA will oversee activities across these sectors to enhance national security and technological development.