BREAKING: Nigeria Announces Plans To Send First Civilian To Space

• The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has disclosed plans by the federal government to send the first Nigerian citizen to space
• The Director General of NASRDA, Dr Mathew Adepoju, said the agency and the Space Exploration and Research Agency will make it happen
• Adepoju said the space visit will open new opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy

FCT, Abuja - The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a plan to send the first citizen to space.

The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Dr Mathew Adepoju, said the federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding in collaboration between NASRDA and The Space Exploration and Research Agency.

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Adepoju made this known while speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, June 19, The Punch reports

“This collaboration, which is coming to the country, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s 25th anniversary of Space Exploration journey and opens new opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement.”

According to The Guardian, Nigeria has been actively pursuing space exploration since 1999, when NASRDA was established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The federal government-owned agency has launched four satellites of its own, the first one in 2003 and the last one in 2009.

The West African country had also launched several satellites into orbit, the most recent being the NigeriaSat-X in 2011.

Nigeria’s first satellite, NigeriaSat-1, was launched on September 27, 2003, and a replacement, NigeriaSat-2, was launched on August 17, 2011.

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NigeriaSat-2 is considered the most powerful imaging spacecraft ever sent into orbit. Also, an equivalent satellite, NigeriaSat-X, was co-launched with NigeriaSat-2 at the Yasny military base in Russia.

Africa eyes potential bounty from space

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that after decades on the sidelines, African countries are venturing into the space industry, hoping to reap rewards in agriculture, disaster prevention and security.

Ivory Coast announced the creation of a space agency and plans to build the country's first nanosatellite by 2024. While in April 2023, Kenya's first working satellite was put into orbit by a SpaceX rocket launched from the United States.

The two countries follow African pioneers South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt -- a trailblazer which owned the first African satellite sent into space in 1998.

Source: Legit.ng