President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets and reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the revised 25-year space development roadmap. The directive was issued at the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said Nigeria will actively compete in the global space frontier, stressing that the programme must deliver real value to farmers, teachers, security agencies, researchers and policymakers through improved security, precision agriculture, disaster warning systems, and a stronger digital economy.

The President also ordered strict enforcement of the space regulation and spectrum management framework, directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, stakeholders, and the private sector to comply, including ensuring the timely release of approved funds.

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, described the meeting as historic, announcing the approval of new staff regulations for the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency, the formation of a multi-agency working group, and the operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre in Ekpe, which will boost Nigeria’s satellite launch capacity and reduce dependence on foreign expertise.