Nigeria to Launch Four Satellites to Boost Security, Earth Observation

The Federal Government has approved the launch of four new satellites to enhance Earth observation and support national security efforts, according to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

Speaking at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja on Wednesday, Nnaji revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the launch of three Earth Observation satellites and one Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite.

He said the advanced technology would significantly improve Nigeria’s capacity to monitor its environment and support the military in counter-insurgency operations, such as in Sambisa Forest and other high-risk zones. “These satellites, worth millions of dollars, represent a vital investment in our national security infrastructure,” the minister said.

The Earth Observation satellites will aid in environmental monitoring, disaster management, and agricultural planning, while the radar satellite is capable of capturing high-resolution images at all times—day or night, rain or shine. “That is technology in play,” Nnaji said, adding that this would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign satellite data.

The minister also announced that a review of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy is underway, with a focus on establishing a National Research and Innovation Fund to bridge the gap between research and practical application.

Highlighting the theme of the council meeting, “Research, Develop, Innovate and Commercialise: A Cycle for National Prosperity,” Nnaji called for stronger alignment between academic research and industrial needs. “For decades, valuable research from our universities has remained underutilised. This must change,” he said.

He urged the private sector to invest more in research and development (R&D), while the government must create regulatory frameworks that protect and promote innovation. “Every research must have a roadmap to industry,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in tackling national challenges such as unemployment, insecurity, and climate change. She noted that 109 memoranda had been submitted during the meeting, covering areas including local research commercialization, emerging technologies, inter-agency collaboration, and sector-specific innovation strategies.

Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), represented by Dr. Morris Mbaeri, reiterated the importance of a resilient innovation ecosystem to address real-world challenges. He called on academia, industry, and government to strengthen partnerships in research and innovation.

Professor Azikiwe Onwualu, President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), advocated for increased R&D spending to at least three percent of Nigeria’s GDP. He also recommended the creation of more RDIC (Research, Development, Innovation, and Commercialisation) hubs and the operationalization of the National Research and Innovation Council Fund to coordinate innovation efforts across the country.

The council meeting, originally scheduled for 2024 but held from May 12–14, 2025, marks a renewed commitment by the government to harness science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of national development.

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